Iran steps up broadsides against U.S., Syria signals Iran won’t leave
LONDON (Reuters) – Iran on Wednesday launched a fresh barrage of criticism at U.S. demands for sweeping change in its foreign policy and nuclear programme, and Tehran’s ally Damascus flatly dismissed a U.S. call for a withdrawal of Iranian forces from …
Kremlin says no preparations for possible Trump-Putin summit since March 20
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Preparations for possible summit meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have not advanced since the two men spoke on the phone on March 20, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said…
Italian president calls in contested candidate for prime minister
ROME (Reuters) – Italian President Sergio Mattarella summoned on Wednesday a political novice who has been put forward by the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and far-right League as their candidate to lead a coalition government.
U.S. in contact with Iraqi ex-foe Sadr after his surprise election win: Sadr aide
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The United States has contacted members of a political bloc in Iraq led by a former foe, the Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, after his election win put him in a strong position to influence the formation of a new government, a top S…
With eye on re-election, Greek PM rolls dice on Macedonia
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is taking a big gamble in trying to settle a decades-old name dispute with neighboring Macedonia which could backfire in a pre-election year among voters already jaded by his economic austerity pol…
South African provincial premier steps down after anti-graft protests
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s leader of the North West province, Supra Mahumapelo, said on Wednesday he will go on early retirement after weeks of protests against his leadership.
Italy president summons Conte, possibly paving way for PM appointment
ROME (Reuters) – Italian President Sergio Mattarella has summoned Giuseppe Conte for a meeting on Wednesday, the president’s office said, possibly paving the way for him to be appointed prime minister.
U.S. warns citizens in China after ‘abnormal’ sound injures consulate worker
BEIJING (Reuters) – An American citizen working at the U.S. consulate in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou has reported suffering from “abnormal” sounds and pressure leading to a mild brain injury, the U.S. embassy said on Wednesday.
Lebanese parliament re-elects Berri as speaker
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Shi’ite politician Nabih Berri, a close ally of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, was re-elected for a sixth term as speaker of Lebanon’s parliament in an uncontested vote on Wednesday.
Foreign media start marathon journey to North Korea nuclear test site
SEOUL (Reuters) – International journalists left on a marathon journey to a North Korean nuclear test site on Wednesday, after Pyongyang belatedly cleared a number of South Korean media to witness what it says will be the dismantling of its only nuclea…
