Bangla clashes

Dhaka, Feb. 21 (AP): Police in Bangladesh clashed today with protesters from Islamic parties denouncing war crimes trials linked to the country’s 1971 independence war, killing two demonstrators and injuring dozens of people, police said.

The nationwide protests were held separately by Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamic party, and an alliance of 12 other smaller Islamic groups.

Athens rain

Athens (Reuters): A woman died and dozens of commuters were trapped in their cars as torrential rain swamped Athens on Friday, the heaviest downpour the normally sunny Greek capital has seen in decades.

Nato force

Brussels (Reuters): Nato allies are discussing keeping a training force of between 8,000 and 12,000 troops in Afghanistan after most foreign soldiers leave in 2014, the US said on Friday.

Italy vote

Rome (Reuters): Italy’s election campaign drew to a close on Friday with the weak performance of outgoing premier Mario Monti key to a deeply uncertain and potentially unstable result.