Rome / AFP An Indian national was amongst two people who died after the outskirts of Rome were hit by a tornado powerful enough to uproot trees, overturn cars and damage buildings, Italian authorities said on Monday. Schools were closed and a clean-up operation was underway in Ladispoli, a coastal town west of Rome where the whirlwind hit on …

  Jakarta / AFP The Indonesian capital’s Christian governor faced a marathon police grilling on Monday for allegedly insulting Islam, after the accusations sparked a violent mass protest by hardliners in the Muslim-majority country. Friday’s demonstration started peacefully but descended into chaos as night fell with protesters torching police cars and hurling rocks and bottles in the heart of Jakarta, …

  MONT PELERIN / AFP A deal to unify Cyprus is within reach, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said on Monday as he opened talks aimed at resolving one of the world’s longest running political crises. The Mediterranean resort island has been split since 1974, when Turkish troops occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece. …