Muslim Brotherhood party refuses to meet Egypt army chief
CAIRO (Reuters) – The political wing of Egypt’s ruling Muslim Brotherhood refused an invitation to meet the armed forces commander on Wednesday, hours before an army deadline for Islamist President Mohamed Mursi to yield to mass protests or quit, milit…
Migrant boat intercepted off Lampedusa ahead of pope’s visit
ROME (Reuters) – The Italian navy intercepted an overcrowded boat off Lampedusa on Wednesday ahead of a visit by Pope Francis to the tiny Sicilian island hard bearing the brunt of a migrant wave that has hit southern Europe in recent years.
Ecuador says it found a hidden microphone at its London embassy
LONDON (Reuters) – Ecuador has found a hidden microphone inside its London embassy, where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is living, and will disclose on Wednesday who controls the device, its foreign minister said.
Embassies, businessmen, workers welcome extended Saudi amnesty
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi businessmen, expatriates and several countries welcomed a four-month extension to an amnesty for foreign workers with visa violations on Wednesday, saying it allowed businesses to operate as usual in the world’s top oil exporte…
Egypt opposition, religious leaders meet army chief: sources
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian liberal opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei met army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday hours before an army deadline for Islamist President Mohamed Mursi to yield to mass protests or quit, two political sources …
Saudi Grand Mufti urges Egyptians to avoid bloodshed
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, the highest religious authority in the birthplace of Islam, urged Egyptians on Wednesday to cooperate in order to avoid bloodshed as an army deadline nears to resolve the country’s political crisis.
Portugal president calls crisis talks as government teeters
LISBON (Reuters) – Portugal’s president summoned main political parties for crisis talks over the government’s future with markets reeling on fears that a snap election could derail Lisbon’s exit from an international bailout.
Mursi’s hardline allies call on him to give ground
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi’s hardline Islamist allies in al-Gamaa al-Islamiya want him to call a referendum on early presidential elections to avoid bloodshed and a military coup, Tarek al-Zumar, a senior member of the group sai…
Egypt opposition leader El-Baradei meets army chief: sources
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian liberal opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei met army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday, two political sources said, hours before an army deadline for Islamist President Mohamed Mursi to yield to mass protests or…
Iran’s Rouhani urges end to meddling in private lives
DUBAI (Reuters) – President-elect Hassan Rouhani called on Wednesday for the government and powerful clergy to end interference in the private lives of the Iranian people, free up Internet access and allow state media to be more open about Iran’s probl…
