African Union plans bigger peacekeeping force for Central African Republic
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – The African Union will form a new 3,600-strong peacekeeping mission for Central African Republic (CAR) to step up efforts to stabilize the fractious country, officials said on Friday.
Biden to praise benefits of ‘rules of the road’ in Asia visit
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Vice President Joe Biden will press India to do more to open up trade and protect intellectual property during a trip to the Asia-Pacific region next week that will also highlight U.S. concern about aggressive Chinese navy patrol…
Portugal PM, opposition head meet president after talks
LISBON (Reuters) – Portugal’s prime minister and the leader of the Socialists were meeting the president on Friday after a week of talks between the ruling coalition partners and the main opposition party to reach a broad political deal to ensure an EU…
Former spy, guerrilla jailed for Kosovo murder
PRISTINA (Reuters) – A Kosovar former spy and guerilla fighter was jailed for four and a half years on Friday for killing a man during a period of deadly political score-settling after the country’s 1998-99 war.
African Union says Madagascar polls hang in balance over Rajoelina
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has failed to heed calls from the African Union (AU) to withdraw from upcoming elections, casting doubt on the polls, the pan-African body said on Friday.
Rocket attack kills custodian of Syrian Shi’ite shrine
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A rocket strike near a Shi’ite Muslim shrine in Damascus killed a custodian of the site on Friday, activists and residents said, in an attack that could inflame sectarian tensions in Syria’s 28-month-old conflict.
Italy court asks prosecutors to examine Berlusconi role in trial
MILAN (Reuters) – The Italian court which convicted three associates of Silvio Berlusconi on Friday for abetting underage prostitution asked prosecutors to investigate whether he and others should face further charges over evidence given in the case.
Arrested prelate wanted to tell pope of suspect activity: document
ROME (Reuters) – An arrested Catholic prelate asked to meet Pope Francis to tell him of irregular activities in the Vatican’s financial administration before he was detained on suspicion of money smuggling, according to a judicial document and a legal …
Kremlin urges Navalny supporters not to break the law
NOVOGORSK, Russia (Reuters) – The Kremlin warned supporters of opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Friday that they must abide by the law following protests against his conviction on theft charges.
Nigeria to pull many peacekeepers from Mali, Darfur
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria plans to withdraw much of its 1,200-strong contingent from international peacekeeping missions in Mali and Sudan’s Darfur region saying the troops are needed to beef up security at home, sources familiar with the matter said o…
