U.S. launches campaign to erode support for Iran’s leaders
By Jonathan Landay, Arshad Mohammed, Warren Strobel and John Walcott
France’s Le Maire says no U.S. trade talks with metals tariffs in place
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Saturday the European Union could not consider negotiating a free trade agreement with the United States without Washington first withdrawing its tariffs on steel and aluminum.
New Peru justice minister takes office after scandal
Peruvian lawmaker Vicente Zeballos took over as justice minister on Saturday, a week after his predecessor Salvador Heresi was fired in an influence-peddling scandal that has shaken the country’s judiciary.
China President Xi welcomed in Senegal at start of Africa trip
China’s President Xi Jinping arrived in Senegal on Saturday for a two-day visit to sign bilateral deals, the first leg of an Africa tour at time when the continent is awash with cheap Chinese loans in exchange for minerals and construction contracts.
Cuba’s draft constitution opens path to gay marriage
The draft of Cuba’s new constitution opens the path to same-sex marriage, a government official said on Saturday, which would make the country that once persecuted homosexuals an unlikely leader in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.
Spain’s conservatives swing to the right with new leader
Spain’s conservatives shifted to the right on Saturday, electing a traditionalist as leader as they seek to re-establish a clear political identity less than two months after being removed from government.
Migrant charity files manslaughter complaint against cargo ship, Libya
The charity Proactiva Open Arms has filed a complaint, including of involuntary manslaughter, with the Spanish police against a cargo ship for failing to help migrants adrift on a destroyed dinghy in the Mediterranean.
Cuba’s new president names cabinet resembling Castro’s
Cuba’s new President Miguel Diaz-Canel named his cabinet on Saturday, keeping a majority of ministers from predecessor Raul Castro including in the key posts of defense, interior and foreign relations, signaling continuity rather than change.
Turkish businessman to face UK extradition hearing: UK ministry
Exiled Turkish businessman Akin Ipek will face an extradition hearing in Britain in September, the British interior ministry said on Saturday, following his arrest in relation to a Turkish request to extradite him.
Afghan government considering new Eid ceasefire offer
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani may offer the Taliban a ceasefire during next month’s Eid holiday after the truce in June which saw unprecedented scenes of unarmed fighters and soldiers mingling on the streets of Kabul, a spokesman said on Saturday.
