Germany’s left wants grassroots blessing before joining Merkel
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s opposition Social Democrats decided on Friday to put any decision to join a ‘grand coalition’ with Angela Merkel to a vote of its 472,000 grassroots members, an unwieldy process that could complicate the creation of a new g…
Building collapse kills 13 in India’s Mumbai, more feared trapped
MUMBAI (Reuters) – A five-storey apartment block collapsed on Friday in the Indian financial center of Mumbai, killing at least thirteen people.
Obama speaks by phone to Iran’s Rouhani, sees chance for progress
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke by phone on Friday, the highest-level contact between the two countries since the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and a sign that both sides are serious about reaching …
Former bin Laden associate facing U.S. charges seeks UK spy evidence
WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) – A former London-based associate of Osama bin Laden facing U.S. terrorism charges has asked a judge for authorization to seek testimony from an officer of Britain’s internal spy agency, MI5, which his lawyers claim might …
Serbia bans gay pride march again, citing right-wing threat
BELGRADE (Reuters) – Serbia’s government banned gay activists from marching in Belgrade for the third year running on Friday, citing a threat to public safety from right-wing hooligans but risking EU condemnation before the expected start of accession …
Iran’s Rouhani says he wants quick results from nuclear talks
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Friday he wanted talks with major powers on Iran’s nuclear program to yield results in a short time, while France challenged Tehran to address Western concerns even sooner than it has pr…
Egypt’s Nour Party rejects move against religious parties
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s second biggest Islamist party, Nour, on Friday rejected proposed changes to the constitution that would outlaw parties founded on religious grounds, and called the move a “sword drawn” against Islamists.
Sudanese police fire teargas as crowds demand Bashir resign
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Police fired teargas on Friday to disperse thousands of Sudanese demanding that President Omar Hassan al-Bashir step down, a day after clashes in which rights groups accused security forces of shooting dead at least 50 people.
Japan’s Abe says no concessions, but no escalation in islet spat with China
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Japan will make no concessions on sovereignty over Pacific islets also claimed by China, but will not make any moves to escalate the situation, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Friday.
Brazil polls show Rousseff’s popularity still on the rebound
BRASILIA (Reuters) – President Dilma Rousseff continues to recover popularity lost after the massive protests that shook Brazil in June, bolstering her chances of re-election next year, two polls published on Friday showed.
