Pension reform protest to hit French rail services
PARIS (Reuters) – French train services face disruption on Tuesday from a strike over plans to reform the country’s indebted pension system, but most international links should operate normally, the SNCF rail company said.
Pragmatism may guide politicians as Catalonian separatism flares again
MADRID (Reuters) – Catalan separatists will mark their national day on Wednesday with demonstrations and renewed calls for a break from Spain – but leaders of both camps are indicating they would prefer negotiation to confrontation.
Italy coalition faces risk as Senate panel meets on Berlusconi
ROME (Reuters) – A special Italian Senate committee meets on Monday to consider expelling Silvio Berlusconi from parliament over his conviction for tax fraud, but may take weeks to reach a decision, delaying a showdown which could shatter the fragile r…
Philippine Muslim rebels launch bold raid on southern port
MANILA (Reuters) – Rogue Muslim rebels launched an audacious assault in the southern Philippines on Monday, taking control of several villages and shutting down a major port in the biggest challenge to a peace deal signed by the government last year.
Yahoo welcomes release of Chinese writer jailed for email
BEIJING (Reuters) – Yahoo! welcomed on Monday the early release from prison of a prominent Chinese writer, jailed in 2005 for leaking state secrets abroad by email after Yahoo was accused of helping authorities identify him.
U.N. nuclear chief says ‘urgent’ for Iran to address concerns
VIENNA (Reuters) – The U.N. nuclear chief told Iran on Monday it was “essential and urgent” for it to address concerns about suspected atomic bomb research, signaling his hope that the new government in Tehran will stop stonewalling his inspectors.
Nigeria’s Boko Haram clash with vigilantes, 18 dead
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Clashes between Islamist sect Boko Haram and government-backed civilian vigilantes killed 18 people in Nigeria’s northeastern state of Borno, survivors said on Monday, as President Goodluck Jonathan struggles to contain r…
Saudi diplomat kidnapped in Yemen asks family to stage protests
ABU DHABI (Reuters) – A Saudi diplomat held hostage in Yemen for 18 months has urged his family to organize demonstrations asking the government to meet al Qaeda demands to free detained women and Muslim clerics as the best way to get him freed from ca…
Kosovo bans Macedonian goods in escalating trade dispute
PRISTINA/SKOPJE (Reuters) – Kosovo has banned the import of all products from neighboring Macedonia, officials said on Monday, in a tit-for-tat trade dispute that could cost Macedonian producers one of their most lucrative markets.
Mubarak’s last PM backs army’s Sisi for Egyptian president
CAIRO (Reuters) – Former Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq says he will back army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for president, adding to speculation that the man who led the overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi could become head of state.
