Russian navy put on high alert off Ukraine coast: sources
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Sources close to the Russian military said on Thursday that Russian naval forces in the Black Sea had been put on heightened alert to discourage Ukraine from trying to disrupt the soccer World Cup as the tournament got under way.
Britain’s May offers pro-EU rebels Brexit compromise: source
LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister Theresa May has agreed a compromise with pro-EU lawmakers in her Conservative Party that offer parliament a vote on future steps in Brexit talks if Britain fails to agree a deal by mid-February, a source said on Thursd…
Clashes halt oil loadings at major Libyan ports of Es Sider, Ras Lanuf
BENGHAZI, Libya/LONDON (Reuters) – The major Libyan oil ports of Ras Lanuf and Es Sider were closed and evacuated on Thursday due to attacks by armed brigades opposed to the powerful eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, causing a production loss of 240,00…
Assad’s property law hits hope of return for Syrians in Germany
BERLIN (Reuters) – Husam Idris dreams of returning to his bakery in the Syrian city of Aleppo. But three years after escaping the war, he worries that a new law allowing the Syrian government to seize homes for redevelopment will scupper his plans.
Four jailed for 25 years in Austria migrant death truck case
KECSKEMET, Hungary (Reuters) – Four people smugglers were jailed for 25 years on Thursday for the deaths of 71 men, women and children whose decomposing bodies were found crammed inside a truck dumped on an Austrian motorway three years ago.
China urges U.S. to make ‘wise choice’ ahead of tariffs decision
BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – China urged the United States on Thursday to make a “wise decision” on trade, saying it was ready to respond in case Washington chose confrontation, as U.S. President Donald prepares to decide whether to activate tariffs …
Russia vows consequences after Norway invites more U.S. Marines
OSLO (Reuters) – Russia vowed on Thursday to retaliate for a plan by Norway to more than double the number of U.S. Marines stationed there.
U.S. says China will ensure diplomats’ safety after illness reports
BEIJING (Reuters) – China will ensure U.S. diplomats based in the country are safe, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday, amid reports that some had suffered a mysterious malady resembling a brain injury that has already hit U.S. person…
Putin invites North Korea’s Kim Jong Un to visit Russia in September
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin asked North Korean official Kim Yong Nam at their meeting on Thursday to pass an invitation to visit Russia in September to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Jordan’s king swears in new cabinet led by ex-World Bank economist
AMMAN (Reuters) – Jordan’s King Abdullah on Thursday swore in a new government led by a former World Bank economist and mandated to review a disputed tax system after widespread protests against IMF-driven austerity measures.
