Italy coalition struggles for deal as tax showdown nears
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s fractious ruling coalition struggled on Tuesday to bridge differences over a housing tax that threatens to create a new crisis for a government already severely strained by the legal turmoil surrounding Silvio Berlusconi.
Analysis: U.S. strike would aim to punish Assad, not turn tide of war
LONDON (Reuters) – Any strike by the United States and its allies on Syria will probably aim to teach President Bashar al-Assad – and Iran – a lesson on the risks of defying the West, but not try to turn the tide of the civil war.
South Africa’s NUM says ‘not trigger-happy’ for gold strike
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – The head of South Africa’s main mining union said on Tuesday its members were “not trigger-happy” about launching a threatened gold industry strike, hinting a compromise could still be found with producers before a Friday deadl…
U.N. inspectors delay visit to suspected chemical weapons site
GENEVA (Reuters) – United Nations inspectors investigating suspected chemical weapons attacks in Syria have postponed their next site visit until Wednesday, a U.N. statement said on Tuesday.
Tunisia blames ‘terrorist’ Ansar al-Sharia for killings
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia has declared Ansar al-Sharia a terrorist organization after obtaining proof it killed two secular politicians and several soldiers, Prime Minister Ali Larayedh said on Tuesday.
British PM recalls parliament from summer break to discuss Syria
LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister David Cameron is recalling members of Britain’s lower house of parliament from their summer break to give them a chance to discuss how best to respond to a suspected chemical attack in Syria, a spokesman from his offic…
China accuses Briton, American of illegally buying private data
BEIJING (Reuters) – China has accused two risk consultants, a British man and his American wife, of illegally buying and selling private information, state media reported on Tuesday, amid a nationwide probe into the drugs industry.
Relatives of Sri Lanka’s missing vent grievances at U.N.
JAFFNA, Sri Lanka (Reuters) – Protesters in Sri Lanka criticized the United Nations for a second day on Tuesday during a visit by U.N. Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay who is assessing rights in a country still divided by a 27-year war.
Foreign strike to create balance of power in Syria “delusional:” minister
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Any foreign strike on Syria to try to create a balance of power in the war between President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and the rebels is “delusional”, the foreign minister said on Tuesday.
Analysis: U.S. could look beyond U.N. Security Council in any Syria strike
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – In the face of a U.N. Security Council deadlocked on Syria, the United States and its allies could seek other means of legitimizing any retaliatory strike they launch against Syria’s government for last week’s alleged gas att…
