UK’s Osborne hails growing economy, slams ‘disastrous’ Labour plans
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s finance minister, George Osborne, said on Monday the UK economy had turned a corner and that its recovery was a vindication of his focus on fixing public finances.
Kerry: Syrian surrender of chemical arms could stop U.S. attack
LONDON (Reuters) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could avoid a U.S. military strike by surrendering all his chemical weapons within a week, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday, but immediately made clear he was not making a serious off…
Kenyatta urges ICC to ensure trials do not damage government
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya’s president said it could be forced to halt cooperation with the International Criminal Court if it requires both him and his deputy – both charged with crimes against humanity – to attend hearings in The Hague at the same tim…
Pension reform protest to hit French rail services
PARIS (Reuters) – French train services face disruption on Tuesday from a strike over plans to reform the country’s indebted pension system, but most international links should operate normally, the SNCF rail company said.
Pragmatism may guide politicians as Catalonian separatism flares again
MADRID (Reuters) – Catalan separatists will mark their national day on Wednesday with demonstrations and renewed calls for a break from Spain – but leaders of both camps are indicating they would prefer negotiation to confrontation.
Italy coalition faces risk as Senate panel meets on Berlusconi
ROME (Reuters) – A special Italian Senate committee meets on Monday to consider expelling Silvio Berlusconi from parliament over his conviction for tax fraud, but may take weeks to reach a decision, delaying a showdown which could shatter the fragile r…
Philippine Muslim rebels launch bold raid on southern port
MANILA (Reuters) – Rogue Muslim rebels launched an audacious assault in the southern Philippines on Monday, taking control of several villages and shutting down a major port in the biggest challenge to a peace deal signed by the government last year.
Yahoo welcomes release of Chinese writer jailed for email
BEIJING (Reuters) – Yahoo! welcomed on Monday the early release from prison of a prominent Chinese writer, jailed in 2005 for leaking state secrets abroad by email after Yahoo was accused of helping authorities identify him.
U.N. nuclear chief says ‘urgent’ for Iran to address concerns
VIENNA (Reuters) – The U.N. nuclear chief told Iran on Monday it was “essential and urgent” for it to address concerns about suspected atomic bomb research, signaling his hope that the new government in Tehran will stop stonewalling his inspectors.
Nigeria’s Boko Haram clash with vigilantes, 18 dead
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Clashes between Islamist sect Boko Haram and government-backed civilian vigilantes killed 18 people in Nigeria’s northeastern state of Borno, survivors said on Monday, as President Goodluck Jonathan struggles to contain r…
