Merkel ally attacks left’s plan to poll members over tie-up
BERLIN (Reuters) – The head of Angela Merkel’s Bavarian allies has attacked a plan by the opposition Social Democrats (SPD) to put any decision on forming a “grand coalition” with her to a vote of its grassroots members, warning against tactics that th…
President says Italy needs continuity, not continuous polls
ROME (Reuters) – Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said on Saturday the country needed a stable government, not more elections, after Prime Minister Enrico Letta said he felt compelled to call a confidence vote this week that could lead to yet anoth…
Egypt soldier killed in Sinai, video shows attacks
ISMAILIA, Egypt (Reuters) – An Egyptian soldier was shot dead in the Sinai Peninsula on Saturday, security officials said, and militants released a video showing attacks against the army in the region where the state is trying to stamp out al Qaeda-lin…
Tunisia’s ruling Islamists to step down, pave way for vote
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia’s Islamist-led government agreed on Saturday to resign after talks with secular foes to form a caretaker administration and prepare for elections to safeguard the democratic transition in the country where the Arab Spring upri…
Merkel ally attacks left’s plan to poll members over tie-up
BERLIN (Reuters) – The head of Angela Merkel’s allies in Bavaria has attacked a plan by the opposition Social Democrats (SPD) to put any decision on forming a “grand coalition” with her to a vote of its members, warning against tactics that risk stabil…
Planned tax breaks for UK married couples rapped as 1950s throwback
LONDON (Reuters) – Plans by Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron to give tax breaks to some married couples drew criticism on Saturday that he was promoting a fantasy 1950s model of family life not corresponding to the realities of modern Britain….
U.N. Security Council demands elimination of Syria chemical arms
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution on Friday that demands the eradication of Syria’s chemical weapons but does not threaten automatic punitive action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government if it doe…
French hostage of Nigerian Islamists pleads for help in video: SITE
PARIS/ABUJA (Reuters) – A French hostage kidnapped by Islamist militants in Nigeria has asked for French and Nigerian government help in securing his release in a video released by his captors, according to the SITE web monitoring service.
Three killed in gunfight in Lebanon’s Baalbek
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Three people were killed in clashes in the Lebanese town of Baalbek on Saturday after gunmen opened fire on a checkpoint manned by militant group Hezbollah, security sources said.
Chemical weapons watchdog to begin Syria inspections next week
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Experts from the world’s chemical weapons watchdog will begin inspecting Syria’s stockpile of toxic munitions by Tuesday, according to an agreement passed in The Hague on Friday.
