Somalia’s Puntland breaks off relations with central government
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region said on Monday it had cut all ties with the central government in a likely setback to efforts to pacify the Horn of Africa Country as it emerges from two decades of conflict.
Threat of Italy government crisis recedes, for now
ROME (Reuters) – The threat of an Italian government crisis following former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s tax fraud conviction receded on Monday, but the situation remains volatile and could erupt again after the summer break.
S.Leone deports former Taylor associate ahead of court hearing
FREETOWN (Reuters) – Sierra Leone deported an associate of former Liberian president Charles Taylor a week before he was due to stand trial for crimes committed during the West African nation’s 1991-2002 civil war, prompting an outcry from rights campa…
Egyptians no longer face jail for insulting president
CAIRO (Reuters) – A decree issued by Egypt’s interim head of state on Monday means people no longer face jail for insulting the president, after a surge in such cases under deposed leader Mohamed Mursi including that of a popular comedian dubbed “Egypt…
Residents flee as fire rages at Marathon, near Athens
ATHENS (Reuters) – A wildfire fanned by strong winds raged near Athens on Monday, damaging homes and sending residents fleeing, fire brigade officials said.
Spanish paedophile pardoned in Morocco arrested in Spain
MADRID (Reuters) – Spanish police have arrested a convicted paedophile who was pardoned by Morocco’s King Mohamed VI last week, a source at Spain’s Interior Ministry said on Monday.
Cafes shut, sports fields empty as war returns to Iraq
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – In an evening in late June, Yasir al-Nuaimi draped an Iraqi flag over his shoulder and headed out to watch a soccer match being shown on television at a cafe in western Baghdad. The 20-year-old told his mother to pray for his team t…
Colombia’s Santos urges rebels to get on the ‘peace train’
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said the time for peace with Marxist FARC rebels is now or never but the instant he determines negotiations are going nowhere or strengthening the rebels, he would abandon the talks and seek res…
Gibraltar accuses Spain of ‘saber-rattling’ in diplomatic row
LONDON (Reuters) – Tensions over Gibraltar escalated on Monday when the British territory’s chief minister accused Spain of “saber-rattling” and behaving like North Korea after Madrid floated the idea of a new border crossing fee and airspace controls….
Kremlin doctor signals Putin is in good health
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin is in good health and a back injury that was reported last year is not a cause for concern, according to the Kremlin’s top doctor.
