Egypt talks

Cairo, Jan. 31 (Reuters): Egypt’s feuding politicians renounced violence today after being summoned by the country’s influential Muslim scholar to talks to end the unrest since President Mohamed Mursi took power.

Participants at the meeting, including leaders of Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood and its secular rivals, described their joint statement as a major step towards ending the conflict.

Tibetan terms

Beijing (AP): A Chinese court convicted two Tibetan men of murder and handed out harsh sentences on Thursday over accusations they incited others to self-immolate, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

France protest

Paris (Reuters): Public sector workers marched through Paris and other French cities on Thursday to demand better pay in the first street challenge to President Francois Hollande’s deficit cuts.

Israel govt

Jerusalem (Reuters): Israeli President Shimon Peres completed talks with parties on Thursday and will likely ask incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday to assemble a new government.