Iraqi PM faces criticism over sectarian violence in Washington visit
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was due to meet with members of Congress on Wednesday as he seeks increased military aid to fight sectarian violence amid criticism from U.S. lawmakers that his government has contributed to th…
‘Nationalism and xenophobia’ on rise ahead of European elections
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has warned against nationalism, xenophobia and racism ahead of European Parliament elections next year, when anti-EU and protest parties are expected to do well.
Merkel, SPD agree to renew German push for transaction tax
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s next government will renew a push for a financial transactions tax, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD) agreed at a second round of coalition talks on Wednesday.
Congo’s army takes border town, closes in on last rebel positions
BUNAGANA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) – Congolese troops entered the eastern border town of Bunagana on Wednesday after M23 rebels abandoned the last major town they were holding, leaving civilians to celebrate in the streets.
Mozambique’s Renamo says leader “hunted”, government cracks down
MAPUTO (Reuters) – Mozambique’s Renamo opposition party said on Wednesday the army was trying to hunt down and kill its leader after President Armando Guebuza said the former rebel group was threatening national sovereignty with renewed attacks.
Iran nuclear diplomacy intensifies, Tehran denies enrichment halt
VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran and six big powers began expert-level talks on Wednesday, building on diplomatic momentum created by a pragmatic shift in Tehran towards negotiating a peaceful solution to the dispute over Iranian nuclear ambitions.
Maldives judges undermining democracy: U.N. rights chief
GENEVA (Reuters) – United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay accused the Maldives Supreme Court on Wednesday of undermining democracy in the Indian Ocean republic by interfering in its presidential elections.
Congo army enters last major rebel-controlled town
GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) – Congolese government troops entered the eastern border town of Bunagana on Wednesday as M23 rebels abandoned the last major town they were holding, rebel, army and aid officials told Reuters.
Four people killed in sectarian violence in north Yemen
SANAA (Reuters) – At least four people were killed in Yemen on Wednesday when a rocket hit a mosque in the Salafi-controlled northern town of Damaj, a spokesman for the puritanical Sunni Muslim group said, blaming Shi’ite Houthi rebels for the attack.
Insight: Is Israel pulling down the shutters for business?
TEL AVIV (Reuters) – High-tech entrepreneur Eyal Waldman decided he had had enough of Israeli investors when they told him to choose between his titles of chairman and chief executive at the company he co-founded, Mellanox Technologies.
