U.N. rights chief calls for investigation into Syria massacre
GENEVA (Reuters) – U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay said on Friday she wanted an independent investigation into an apparent massacre carried out by Syrian opposition forces in the town of Khan al-Assal.
Iran’s Rouhani misquoted in remarks on Israel: state TV
DUBAI (Reuters) – Two days before his inauguration as Iran’s new president, Hassan Rouhani said on Friday that Israeli occupation of Palestinian land had inflicted a “wound” on the Muslim world, according to a segment of his remarks broadcast on Iran’s…
Two killed in clashes between rival factions in Yemeni army
SANAA (Reuters) – At least two people died and five were wounded in clashes between soldiers once loyal to Yemen’s ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh and a rival army faction in Sanaa on Friday, police and medical sources said.
Iran’s Ahmadinejad steps aside, divisive to the end
DUBAI (Reuters) – Vilified abroad for his blistering attacks against the West, blamed at home for Iran’s economic woes and isolated from the supreme leader who groomed him for power, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad leaves the presidency with few friends and an unc…
Muslim Brotherhood criticizes Kerry’s endorsement of Mursi overthrow
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood on Friday criticized U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for saying the Egyptian military had been “restoring democracy” when it toppled Islamist president Mohamed Mursi.
Senior U.S. diplomat due in Cairo: Egyptian foreign ministry
CAIRO (Reuters) – U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns is to visit Egypt late on Friday, a spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said, with fears rising of an imminent security crackdown on supporters of the country’s deposed Islamist pre…
Ex-PM Keita to face Cisse in Mali election run-off
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Former prime minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita came first in Mali’s presidential election but will face ex-finance minister Soumaila Cisse in a run-off after he failed to secure an outright majority, the government said on Friday.
Italy’s Letta says convinced interests of country will prevail
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta said on Friday he was sure the best interests of Italy would prevail over partisan politics following a court’s confirmation of a conviction of ex premier Silvio Berlusconi.
Portugal’s main ruling party gains, partner punished for crisis: poll
LISBON (Reuters) – The junior partner in Portugal’s coalition government has been punished in an opinion poll for provoking a political crisis last month while the main ruling party has gained in popularity despite its austerity drive.
Iran as determined as ever to threaten Israel: Netanyahu
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday Iranian president-elect Hassan Rouhani had shown his true face after he was quoted as saying Israel was a “wound” that must be removed.