Mandela remains ‘critical but stable’
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Former South African president Nelson Mandela’s condition remains “critical but stable” but the government hopes the 94-year-old anti-apartheid hero will be out of hospital soon, President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday.
Greek utility shelves plans for price increases
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece’s state-controlled utility PPC said on Saturday it had no immediate plans to raise electricity prices for households after their liberalization on July 1.
Iran’s Rouhani hints will balance hardline, reformist demands
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran’s president-elect Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday he would appoint ministers from across its political spectrum as Iranian voters had chosen a path of moderation over extremism.
Egypt protest blast was explosive device: sources
ISMAILIA, Egypt (Reuters) – A fatal blast during a protest against Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi in the Suez Canal city of Port Said was caused by a home-made hand grenade, security sources said Saturday.
North Korea to discuss nuclear talks in Moscow – report
MOSCOW (Reuters) – North Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator will meet senior Russian officials in Moscow next week, state media reported, amid signs of a new push to get Pyongyang to re-join protracted talks over ending its atomic program.
Syrian army launches offensive in Homs city
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad launched a military offensive on Saturday against rebel-held areas of Homs, the country’s third-largest city and a centre of the two-year-old uprising against his rule.
Rebels kill policeman, injure 14 others in Chechnya
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Rebels have killed a Russian policeman and injured 14 others in Chechnya, police said on Saturday, a rare clash in the now mostly calm North Caucasus republic which lies near to the venue for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Five dead in Somali port city as leadership dispute rages
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – At least five people have been killed in two days of fighting in a strategic Somali port city, a militia commander said on Saturday, despite talks to end a leadership row aimed at stopping a slide back into broader clan warfare.
Italy to cut spending, sees risks of protests: report
MILAN (Reuters) – Italy will resume public spending cuts to find resources for tax cuts to kick start growth, Economy Minister Fabrizio Saccomanni told daily Corriere della Sera on Saturday.
Obamas to meet Mandela family, not visit hospital
PRETORIA (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will meet on Saturday with relatives of anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela, but they will not visit the hospital where the former South African president is critically ill, …
