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.
Iran holds Slovak tourists over photos: media
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian judicial authorities have opened an investigation into eight Slovak citizens, arrested on suspicion of taking photographs of “restricted areas”, Iranian media reported on Monday.
Billionaire Saudi prince grilled in UK court over Gaddafi jet
LONDON (Reuters) – A billionaire Saudi prince told a London court on Monday that “each dollar counts” as he was cross-examined over his sale of an opulent private jet to Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Thousands demand China honor Hong Kong democracy pledge
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Tens of thousands braved typhoon rains in Hong Kong on Monday to demand China live up to its promise to allow fully democratic elections there in 2017 amid mounting fears of increased meddling by Beijing’s Communist Party leaders….
