Somali Islamists take responsibility for Mogadishu hotel bombing
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Islamist al Shabaab rebels claimed responsibility on Saturday for a bomb that killed six people outside a popular Mogadishu hotel the day before, and said they deliberately targeted government officials and security forces.
U.S. ‘working tirelessly’ to restore UNESCO funding: ambassador
PARIS (Reuters) – The U.S. government is working hard to get Congress to restore its UNESCO funding, Washington’s ambassador to the U.N. cultural arm said on Saturday, after its voting rights were suspended over failure to pay up.
Britain says Iran nuclear deal uncertain despite progress
GENEVA (Reuters) – Britain said on Saturday important issues remain to be resolved at negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and there was no certainty that a deal could be reached during this round of talks despite “very good progress” so far.
Growing New Zealand backlash targets online sex braggarts
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – Anger is growing in New Zealand against a group of teenagers who bragged on Facebook about having sex with drunk, underage girls, with nationwide public protests being planned for next week.
Bangladesh set for yet another shutdown in election row
DHAKA (Reuters) – The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Saturday announced another 84-hour nationwide strike, starting on Sunday, after police arrested BNP leaders, triggering violent protests across the country.
Iran, powers extend talks to clinch elusive nuclear deal
GENEVA (Reuters) – Iran and six world powers extended high-stakes talks over Tehran’s nuclear program into an unscheduled third day on Saturday, as their top diplomats labored to hammer out a long-sought deal to end a decade-old standoff.
Maldives tries again to vote for president after months of unrest
MALE (Reuters) – Voters streamed into polling booths in the Maldives to choose a new president on Saturday in an election that tests the democratic credentials of an Indian Ocean island state known more for its luxury resorts than its recent political …
Obama says U.S. needs to update policies on Cuba
MIAMI (Reuters) – President Barack Obama said on Friday that it may be time for the United States to revise its policies toward Cuba, against which it has had an embargo for more than half a century.
Philippines says at least 100 dead from typhoon Haiyan
MANILA (Reuters) – At least 100 people may have died in the Philippines from the impact of super typhoon Haiyan, a senior government official said on Saturday.
Tuareg rebels killed in battle with Malian troops
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Three people were killed on Friday during clashes between the MNLA Tuareg separatist group and the Malian army in the north of the country, the MNLA said in a statement, accusing the Malian army of violating a ceasefire agreement.
