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….
Exclusive: Pakistan angers Afghans by suggesting Taliban share power – minister
KABUL (Reuters) – Pakistan has floated the concept of an Afghan power-sharing arrangement between Kabul and the Taliban as part of a peace talks “end game”, Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Ershad Ahmadi said on Monday, a suggestion met with outrage in K…
Israel launches crackdown on pro-settler vandal ‘terrorists’
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel announced a crackdown on Monday against Jewish ultranationalists who vandalize Palestinian property, saying they were tantamount to terrorists and their attacks could fan sectarian violence.
U.N. nuclear chief warns of ‘dirty bomb’ threat
VIENNA (Reuters) – More action is needed to stop militants acquiring plutonium or highly-enriched uranium that could be used for atomic bombs, nuclear experts and government officials said on Monday.
