John Paul II on brink of sainthood after miracle approved: report
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The late Pope John Paul II moved closer to sainthood on Tuesday after a commission of cardinals and bishops credited him with a second miracle since his death, Italian media reported.
Princess Fawzia, Shah’s first wife, dies in Egypt
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (Reuters) – Princess Fawzia Fuad, a daughter and sister of Egyptian kings and the first wife of the last Shah of Iran, died on Tuesday in Alexandria, a member of the former royal family and a senior local police officer said.
Kenya parliament to debate new tax, opposition grows
NAIROBI (Reuters) – A proposed tax that would raise the price of food and other basic items was presented to Kenya’s parliament on Tuesday, even as civil servants demanded higher pay to cope with rising living costs.
Senegal charges ex-Chad leader with crimes against humanity
DAKAR (Reuters) – A judge in Senegal formally charged Chad’s former president Hissene Habre with crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture on Tuesday and remanded him in custody pending trial, his lawyer said.
Some lawmakers balk at limited abortion legislation in Ireland
DUBLIN (Reuters) – Four lawmakers from Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny’s party came out on Tuesday against a move to legalize abortion under certain conditions but are unlikely to be able to scuttle the measure or threaten his comfortable majority.
Hague court to release ex-Bosnian Serb parliament chief early
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The war crimes tribunal for ex-Yugoslavia has granted early release to the former head of the Bosnian Serb parliament who was convicted of forcing thousands of Muslims and Croats from their homes during Bosnia’s 1992-95 war.
Russia passes amnesty for economic crimes in boost to business
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s lower house of parliament on Tuesday approved an amnesty for several thousand entrepreneurs jailed for economic crimes.
Oscar-winning filmmaker to challenge Azeri president in vote
BAKU (Reuters) – Azerbaijan’s embattled opposition named an Oscar-winning screenwriter on Tuesday as its candidate to challenge President Ilham Aliyev’s decade-long rule in an October election.
Portugal’s foreign minister, party head Portas resigns
LISBON (Reuters) – Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Portas has resigned, the president’s office said on Tuesday, in a further blow to the center-right coalition that has kept the country’s international bailout on track.
Senegal to detain ex-Chad leader pending trial: judge
DAKAR (Reuters) – Chad’s former president Hissene Habre has been remanded in custody pending trial in Senegal on charges of crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture during his eight years in power, his lawyer said on Tuesday.