Headlines
With no pope, Catholic Church leaderless for now
VATICAN CITY (AP)—The Catholic Church has awoken with no leader following Benedict XVI’s resignation, in which he pledged obedience to his successor and described himself as “simply a pilgrim” starting the final part of his life. With Pope Benedict XVI now officially in retirement, Catholic cardinals from around the world now begin the complex process of picking the next leader of the world’s largest church.
Officials: France in Mali until July or later
PARIS (AP)—French troops will stay in the West African country of Mali at least until July, amid tougher-than-expected resistance from Islamic fighters, officials have told The Associated Press.
Many Venezuelans believe in Chavez recovery
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)—Venezuela’s vice president said Thursday that Hugo Chavez is still fighting for his life, yet a recent poll says three in five Venezuelans believe their president will return to power.
Malaysia Standoff With Armed Filipinos Ends in Violence
(Reuters) A standoff between Malaysian security forces and armed Filipinos ended in violence on Friday, with two police officers and up to 12 members of the Philippine group killed as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak declared his patience had run out.
Putin Submits Election Law Condemned by Opponents
(Reuters) Vladimir Putin has submitted legislation to change the way the Russian parliament is elected, a move he says will advance democracy but critics say is aimed at bolstering his United Russia party.
Ukrainian Leader, Fresh From EU Talks, to Meet Russia’s Putin
(Reuters) Ukraine’s president will discuss Russian gas imports at a reinstated meeting with Vladimir Putin next week, as Kiev seeks to win lower energy prices from its giant neighbor without losing a lucrative trade deal with the European Union.
U.N.’s Ban Says Turkish PM’s Zionism Comment ‘Hurtful’
(Reuters) U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s description of Zionism as a crime against humanity was “hurtful and divisive”, adding to criticism of comments that risk deepening Turkey’s rift with Israel.
Bomb in Thai South Wounds Six Day After Landmark Deal
(Reuters) A motorcycle bomb wounded six people in southern Thailand on Friday, a day after a landmark agreement between the government and a Muslim rebel group to start talks aimed at ending a conflict that has claimed more than 5,000 lives since 2004.
China Moves Ahead With North Korea Trade Zone Despite Nuclear Test
(Reuters) China appears to be pressing ahead with plans to invest in a North Korean free trade zone in a sign that its recent nuclear test has not soured its economic ties with its only major ally.
