Iceland received informal approach over Snowden seeking asylum
REYKJAVIK (Reuters) – Iceland has received an informal approach from an intermediary who says Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who exposed the U.S. government’s secret surveillance programs, wants to seek asylum there.
Bulgaria proposes electoral changes to soothe public anger
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria’s Socialists, in power for only three weeks at the head of a fragile government, promised on Tuesday to reform the electoral law in a bid to defuse the street protests that have resumed with new momentum despite last month’s …
Mali says reaches deal with Tuareg rebels
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) – Mali is ready to sign a deal with Tuareg separatist rebels on Tuesday, paving the way for Malian government troops to return to the rebel-held northern town of Kidal ahead of an election next month, Mali’s chief negotiator said….
Kuwait hangs two Egyptian men for murder and rape
KUWAIT (Reuters) – Kuwait hanged two Egyptian men on Tuesday, one for murder and the other for abduction and rape, state news agency KUNA reported, in the second set of executions in the Gulf Arab state this year.
Twin suicide bombs kill 29 in Baghdad
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Two coordinated suicide bombings at a Shi’ite Muslim mosque in Baghdad killed at least 29 worshippers at noon prayers on Tuesday, medics said.
Russia starts delivering $1 billion arms package to Azerbaijan
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia has begun delivering tanks, artillery cannons and rocket launchers worth $1 billion to Azerbaijan, a Moscow-based defense group said on Tuesday, as the former Soviet republic strengthens its military readiness in the volatile …
Lebanese Sunni Muslim politician warns of state collapse
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon’s main Sunni Muslim political party pleaded with the presidency on Tuesday to prevent “state collapse”, blaming the Shi’ite Hezbollah group for dragging the country into the war in neighboring Syria.
Chad arrests suspected member of elephant slaughter gang
N’DJAMENA (Reuters) – Authorities in Chad have arrested a suspected member of a poaching gang accused of slaughtering nearly 200 elephants and killing five Cameroonian park rangers, the environment minister said on Tuesday.
Karzai announces peace talks as Afghans take over security
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan will send a team to Qatar for peace talks with the Taliban, President Hamid Karzai said on Tuesday, as the U.S.-led NATO coalition launched the final phase of the 12-year war with the last round of security transfers to Af…
Russia opens criminal investigation into Aeroflot executive
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian officials have opened a criminal investigation into a deputy head of state-controlled airline Aeroflot on suspicion that he abused his position by selling cheap tickets to travel agents linked to his family.
