Madagascar voters want presidential run-off to end crisis
ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) – Madagascar stages a run-off presidential election on Friday, but old rifts may persist, extending a crisis begun by a coup five years ago that deterred investors and donors of aid to one of Africa’s poorest nations.
French Socialists recruit ‘working class hero’ for EU poll
PARIS (Reuters) – A charismatic trade union activist who once denounced French President Francois Hollande as a “traitor” to workers is to run for the European Parliament for the ruling Socialist party in a surprise move to counter rising Euroskeptics….
U.N. told up to 500 killed in South Sudan clashes: diplomats
JUBA/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations received reports from local sources in South Sudan on Tuesday that between 400 and 500 people had been killed and up to 800 wounded in the latest violence, and the government said it had arrested 10 po…
Three Iranian guards killed by roadside bomb: report
DUBAI (Reuters) – Three Iranian military personnel were killed in south-east Iran early on Wednesday when the vehicle they were travelling in was struck by a roadside bomb, Iranian media said.
Party of Mali’s president wins legislative elections
BAMAKO (Reuters) – The party of Mali’s new president, together with its political allies, won the majority of seats in parliamentary elections, according to provisional results released by the government late on Tuesday.
Thai protesters say they will rally to hound PM from office
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Anti-government demonstrators in Thailand said they will step up their protests in an attempt to force Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office and push through electoral reforms before a general election is held.
Five Turkish police commissioners removed after graft inquiry: report
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Five Turkish police commissioners were sacked a day after the sons of cabinet ministers and prominent businessmen close to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan were detained in a corruption probe, a local news agency said on Wednesday.
EU to avoid summit bust-up on migration, worries remain
PARIS (Reuters) – European officials are confident they have averted a damaging clash among EU leaders over migration at a summit this week, but public fears of an influx into western and southern Europe will loom large over European elections next yea…
Russia offers security as Syria destroys chemical arms: media
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia is ready to provide security at the Syrian port of Latakia and in Syrian waters while the country’s chemical weapons arsenal is destroyed, Itar-Tass news agency quoted a Russian official as saying on Wednesday.
Former Sarkozy aides released in French graft probe
PARIS (Reuters) – The former right-hand man of Nicolas Sarkozy was released by French police late on Tuesday after being questioned over his suspected involvement in the alleged misuse of public funds when he served in the interior ministry, a judicial…
