Italy PM summons coalition partners as tensions rise
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta called a government meeting after a coalition partner threatened to withdraw support on Monday, citing frustration with a slow pace of reforms to tackle a deep recession.
Former drug dealer says Bulger’s name taboo on the street
BOSTON (Reuters) – A former cocaine dealer who sought to protect his criminal empire by aligning with reputed mobster James “Whitey” Bulger testified on Monday that even as he worked with Bulger’s closest associates he knew better than to utter the bos…
Governments warn about nuclear terrorism threat
VIENNA (Reuters) – More action is needed to prevent militants acquiring plutonium or highly-enriched uranium that could be used in bombs, governments agreed at a meeting on nuclear security in Vienna on Monday, without deciding on any concrete steps.
Obama calls on neighbors to stop fuelling Congo conflict
DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday called on states around the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern region to stop fuelling conflict there and implement a peace deal.
Code words and safe phones: anatomy of a money smuggling plot
ROME (Reuters) – To most people, a book is a book. But to Monsignor Nunizio Scarano, a Vatican official arrested on charges of money smuggling, a “book” was a code word for one million euros in cash, a report by the judge on the case said.
Colombian peace talks resume in Cuba amid tensions
HAVANA (Reuters) – The Colombian government and leftist FARC rebels clashed on Monday over how to incorporate Latin America’s oldest guerrilla movement into the democratic process, as they began the latest round of peace talks in Havana.
U.N. takes over Mali peacekeeping mission, doubts over vote
BAMAKO (Reuters) – The United Nations took over command of an African peacekeeping force in Mali on Monday, bolstering the mission in a country still threatened by militants and weeks away from what analysts warn could be chaotic elections.
Bosnians step up ‘baby protests’ against political inertia
SARAJEVO (Reuters) – About 3,000 demonstrators blocked downtown Sarajevo’s streets on Monday in a sit-down protest at the failure of Bosnian lawmakers to pass a law on the registration of newborn babies.
South Africa’s Mandela still ‘critical but stable’
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Ailing anti-apartheid leader and former South African President Nelson Mandela remained in hospital on Monday in a “critical but stable” condition, the government said.
Greek government majority rises after independent lawmakers join
ATHENS (Reuters) – Two independent lawmakers have joined Greece’s ruling New Democracy party, the prime minister’s office said on Monday, bolstering the coalition government’s majority to five seats.
