U.N. rights chief presses Egypt on Mursi detention
GENEVA (Reuters) – The top United Nations human rights official has asked Egypt’s interim government to explain why the army detained ousted President Mohamed Mursi and his close aides and whether it plans to put them on trial, a U.N. spokesman said on…
Police focus on cooking oil container in Indian mass poisoning case
GANDAMAN/NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian police suspect that India’s worst outbreak of mass food poisoning in years was caused by cooking oil that had been kept in a container previously used to store pesticide, the magistrate overseeing the investigation…
Kerry heads to West Bank to push for renewed peace talks
AMMAN (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was due to travel to the West Bank to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday, U.S. and Palestinian officials said, in a last-ditch effort to clinch a renewal of peace talks with Israel.
Hungary opposition aims for autumn pact to oust Orban in 2014
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary’s leftist opposition, aiming to forge a united front to challenge Prime Minister Viktor Orban in an election next year, hopes to agree on a joint candidate by October, former premier Gordon Bajnai said on Friday.
Czech party weighs support for new PM, his chances remain weak
PRAGUE (Reuters) – The Czech Republic’s main center-left party signaled on Friday it might support the new cabinet led by an ally of President Milos Zeman in a vote of confidence due in early August, though the government’s chances of success remain we…
Pope sets up commission to reform Vatican
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis, moving to overcome major crises in the Holy See, on Friday set up a special commission to reform its economic and administrative departments, the Vatican said.
Kurd militants give Turkey ‘final warning’ on peace deal
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Kurdish militants issued what they said was a “final warning” to Turkey on Friday to take concrete steps to advance a peace process aimed at ending a three-decade insurgency, or be responsible for it grinding to a halt.
Nigeria lifts mobile phone blackout in militant stronghold
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Nigeria lifted a mobile phone blackout on the Islamist militant stronghold of Maiduguri on Friday, saying there were signs of improving security after months of blasts and attacks.
Israel indicts Palestinian seized after vanishing in Egypt
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A Palestinian secretly held by Israel after he vanished during a visit to Egypt last month was indicted on terrorism charges on Friday, though Israeli authorities kept a lid on how and where he was detained.
Bulgaria picks new state security boss amid protests
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria’s parliament picked an experienced professional on Friday to head the national security agency, in a move the new Socialist-led cabinet hopes will end daily demonstrations by tens of thousands of anti-graft protesters.
