Syria invites U.N. chemical arms chief, but access is in doubt
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday invited chief U.N. chemical weapons investigator Ake Sellstrom to Damascus to discuss allegations of banned arms use in Syria’s civil war but suggested it would not…
South Sudan’s ‘midwives’ attack Kiir over corruption and abuses
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – A group of U.S. activists who helped to bring about South Sudan’s secession have blasted the government of Africa’s newest nation in an open letter for allowing “shocking” human rights abuses and corruption to undermine stability.
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood calls for more protests after killings
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and its Islamist allies called for more protests on Tuesday, after 51 people were killed in Cairo on Monday when the army opened fire on supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.
U.S. won’t cut off aid to Egypt immediately: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House refused to label the military ouster of Egypt’s president a coup on Monday and said there would be no immediate cut-off in U.S. aid to Egypt in a move that distances Washington from the country’s toppled Muslim Br…
Brazil drops plan to import Cuban doctors
BRASILIA (Reuters) – The Brazilian government, under pressure to improve public health services, has dropped plans to import a contingent of Cuban doctors and is instead looking to hire physicians in Spain and Portugal, the Health Ministry said on Mond…
Battles intensify in Syria’s strategic city of Homs
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian troops fought with rebels in Homs on Monday in a battle seen as crucial to the government’s attempts to drive a wedge between opposition-held areas and establish links between the capital and President Bashar al-Assad’s coasta…
Mexico opposition wins key state vote, boosting reform outlook
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto’s economic agenda looked to be on surer footing after local elections on Sunday yielded results that favor a cross-party pact he forged to push reforms through Congress.
Germany defends ‘strictly legal’ cooperation with NSA
BERLIN (Reuters) – Angela Merkel’s government said on Monday that its cooperation with American intelligence was fully regulated by strict legal guidelines after a magazine reported that the U.S. National Security Agency was in close cahoots with Germa…
Turkish police fired water cannon to prevent park protest
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish police fired teargas and water cannon on Monday at protesters who tried to defy a closure order and enter an Istanbul park at the centre of protests against Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s government.
Liberia’s Johnson-Sirleaf sacks auditor-general for graft
DAKAR (Reuters) – President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf dismissed Liberia’s auditor-general and the head of the public procurement agency (GSA) on Monday in a crackdown on public sector corruption.
