Japan enacts strict state secrets law despite protests
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan enacted a state-secrets law toughening penalties for leaks on Friday, despite public protests and criticism that it will muzzle the media and help cover up official misdeeds.
Nelson Mandela, from apartheid fighter to president and unifier
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Nelson Mandela guided South Africa from the shackles of apartheid to multi-racial democracy, as an icon of peace and reconciliation who came to embody the struggle for justice around the world.
Gunmen kill leader of Pakistani sectarian group
LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) – Gunmen killed the provincial leader of a Pakistani Sunni sectarian group on Friday and police deployed to prevent more violence after the anti-Shi’ite faction called for protests.
Denmark, Norway offer to transport chemical weapons out of Syria
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – Denmark and Norway have offered naval frigates and specialized cargo vessels to transport chemical weapons out of Syria, as part of an international deal that averted U.S. missile strikes on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s for…
Putin dampens amnesty chances for Khodorkovsky, Pussy Riot
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev hinted on Friday that former Yukos oil company chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky would not be freed under an amnesty President Vladimir Putin is preparing, and a prosecutor said the jailed tycoon could…
Somali lawmaker killed by car bomb outside palace
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – A Somali lawmaker was killed in the capital Mogadishu on Friday when a bomb planted under his car exploded at the entrance to the heavily fortified compound of the presidential palace, a senior police official said.
Florence Mayor Renzi prepares to shake up Italian centre-left
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s center-left Democratic Party (PD) is expected to elect as its leader the charismatic mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzi, an outsider who promises both a chance of renewal and a threat to Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s already fragi…
French army says killed unidentified fighters in Central Africa Republic
PARIS (Reuters) – French forces killed unidentified fighters near the airport in Central African Republic’s capital Bangui in clashes early on Thursday before the U.N. green light for the mission, an army spokesman said.
Ukraine’s Yanukovich postpones foreign trip over domestic turmoil: statement
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich has postponed a scheduled visit to Malta next week, the presidential website said in a statement on Friday, citing his need “to focus on domestic political issues.”
Six months to go, momentum builds ahead of EU parliament vote
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Next May’s elections to the European Parliament promise to be among the most closely watched since the 1970s, with many in Europe expected to show their frustration with the economic crisis by voting for anti-EU or protest parties….
