Britain’s May tells Netanyahu of concern over Gaza deaths
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain is concerned about the deaths of protesters in Gaza, Prime Minister Theresa May told Israel’s premier Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, saying that the situation had deteriorated.
Syria opens Homs-Hama highway after near seven-year closure due to war
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian government re-opened the highway between the cities of Homs and Hama on Wednesday a month after its forces retook a rebel-held pocket that had straddled the road that was closed for almost seven years.
Iran stands ground on nuclear inspections as France warns of red line
VIENNA/PARIS (Reuters) – Iran will not cooperate more fully with atomic inspectors until a standoff over its nuclear deal is resolved, its U.N. envoy said, as one signatory warned Tehran against moving ahead with preparations to boost its uranium enric…
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish candidate holds election rally from behind bars
ANKARA (Reuters) – As his family and friends huddled around a speaker, the jailed presidential candidate of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish opposition called home from his prison cell on Wednesday for his first election “rally” ahead of June 24 elections.
Czech president appoints Andrej Babis as prime minister for second time
PRAGUE (Reuters) – Czech President Milos Zeman appointed Andrej Babis as prime minister for a second time on Wednesday, giving him a new chance on forming a government to end a long political stalemate.
Singapore’s foreign minister to visit North Korea ahead of Trump-Kim summit
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan will visit North Korea from Thursday to Friday, the Singapore government said in a statement, days before it plays host to the leaders of North Korea and the United Stat…
Merkel wants to talk to Trump on Iran, trade tariffs at G7
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s Angela Merkel will try to talk to U.S. President Donald Trump about their differences on Iran and trade tariffs during a Group of Seven summit in Canada on June 8-9, the chancellor told parliament on Wednesday.
Israeli army kills Palestinian in West Bank during raid
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The Israeli military shot dead a Palestinian during a raid in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, saying a soldier fired back after a man pelted him with a rock.
Lebanon’s Berri says Iran, Hezbollah to stay in Syria until it is ‘free’
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Iranian and Hezbollah forces will not withdraw from Syria until the country is “liberated” and its “territorial integrity is restored”, Russia’s RIA news agency reported on Wednesday.
In Europe, Mattis finds himself in familiar spot: calming U.S. allies
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrives in Brussels on Wednesday seeking to mollify European allies, officials and experts said, finding himself in the familiar position of mending relationships frayed by President Donald Trump…
