Afghan watchdog blames government for election shortcomings
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan’s independent election watchdog blamed the government on Sunday for failing to prepare the ground for next year’s presidential election, and an opposition leader accused President Hamid Karzai of trying to influence the vo…
Argentina’s ailing president faces tough midterm congressional election
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentine President Cristina Fernandez is expected to lose some of her congressional clout in Sunday’s midterm election as the ailing leader faces complaints over galloping consumer prices and a weakening currency.
Congo’s army says it is heading for rebel stronghold
KINSHASA (Reuters) – The Congolese army said it had recaptured two more towns and was heading for the rebel stronghold of Rutshuru in a third day of fighting on Sunday, raising the prospect of a military victory by government forces.
Czech Social Democrats look to protest party to form government
PRAGUE (Reuters) – The Social Democrats will look to new centrist party ANO to help form a government after narrowly winning a Czech election that punished the establishment for sleaze and budget cuts, their party leader said on Sunday.
Analysis: Palestinian downturn bites, aid falters, tunnels collapse
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – The arteries of Gaza’s economy have collapsed as Egypt demolishes the smuggling tunnels along its sandy border.
Iranian capital takes down some anti-American posters
DUBAI (Reuters) – Tehran authorities have taken down some anti-American posters, amid signs Iran is seeking better relations with the United States as the two sides prepare to hold talks over its nuclear program.
European, African observers say Madagascar election credible
ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) – Madagascar’s first presidential election since a military-backed coup was free and fair, European Union (EU) and Southern African observers said on Sunday, as early results trickled out two days after the poll.
Abe says Japan won’t tolerate use of force to change regional status quo
ASAKA, Japan (Reuters) – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told Japanese troops on Sunday that Japan would not tolerate the use of force to change the region’s status quo, comments likely to rile Beijing which is locked in a long and bitter territorial dispute…
Senior Iran lawmaker says 20 percent uranium enrichment continuing
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran has not halted its most sensitive uranium enrichment work, a senior Iranian parliamentarian said, contradicting a statement by another lawmaker last week.
Ex-Soviet Georgia votes for president, enters new era
TBILISI (Reuters) – Georgia voted for a new president on Sunday in an election that will bring the curtain down on Mikheil Saakashvili’s decade-long rule but is unlikely to end political uncertainty in the former Soviet republic.
