Albanians hand Socialists a landslide, defeated PM silent
TIRANA (Reuters) – Albania’s Socialist opposition claimed a landslide election victory on Tuesday and supporters poured into the streets, but two days after the volatile NATO country voted, its defeated prime minister remained silent.
Russia, U.S. fail to set up Syria peace talks
BEIRUT/GENEVA (Reuters) – Talks between the United States and Russia to set up a Syrian peace conference produced no deal on Tuesday, with the powers on either side of the two-year civil war failing to agree when it should be held or who would be invit…
Mexico concerned about U.S. bid to beef up border security
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – The Mexican government on Tuesday voiced concern about U.S. congressional proposals to beef up security along the U.S.-Mexico border, saying it was divisive and would not solve the problem of illegal immigration.
French lawmakers gut Hollande’s transparency bill
PARIS (Reuters) – French lawmakers on Tuesday diluted plans to make politicians declare their wealth and backed harsh penalties for journalists who publish the information, in an embarrassing setback for President Francois Hollande’s transparency drive…
EU gives go-ahead for Serbia entry talks by January
LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) – Serbia could start negotiations on joining the European Union by January next year, EU ministers agreed on Tuesday, rewarding Belgrade for improving relations with its ex-province Kosovo.
Libya assembly votes in first Berber as new chief
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya’s national assembly elected a minority Berber as its new president on Tuesday after his predecessor quit following passage of legislation curbing who can hold public office – a move to ban ex-associates of late dictator Muamma…
Mugabe heads to Singapore for health check before vote
(Reuters) – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe left for a medical check-up in Singapore on Tuesday, his spokesman said, a month before an election in which the 89-year-old is looking to extend his 33 years in power.
Egyptian city on edge before anti-Mursi protests
EL-MAHALLA EL-KUBRA, Egypt (Reuters) – Fuel is in short supply in El-Mahalla El-Kubra. So is patience.
U.N. peacekeeping operations in Mali to begin on July 1
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.N. peacekeepers will start operations in Mali on July 1 after the U.N. Security Council gave the green light on Tuesday for the mission, which will be the world body’s third largest when fully deployed by the end of this ye…
India flood rescue helicopter crash kills eight – government
GAUCHAR, India (Reuters) – A rescue helicopter delivering wood for the mass cremations of the victims of flooding in northern India crashed on Tuesday, killing the eight people on board, the government said.
