U.S. aid chief makes unannounced visit to Syrian city of Raqqa
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. government’s aid chief, Mark Green, made an unannounced visit to Raqqa in Syria on Monday, the most senior U.S. civilian official to visit the war-struck city months after American-backed militia retook the area from Isl…
Pakistani PM says ‘committed’ to seizing Islamist charities
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday said his government will push ahead with plans to seize control of charities run by an Islamist designated a terrorist by Washington, and warned the United States not to weak…
In Gaza, UNRWA chief says U.S. aid cut risks more Mideast instability
GAZA (Reuters) – The head of the U.N. agency that helps Palestinian refugees said on Monday that U.S. plans to cut funding to the body were abrupt and harmful and risked destabilizing the Middle East.
South Africa’s ANC says deciding whether to remove Zuma as president
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) is in the process of deciding whether to cut short President Jacob Zuma’s tenure as head of state, the party’s secretary general told a news conference on Monday.
U.S., EU discordant notes on Jerusalem underline Mideast policy rift
JERUSALEM/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – In a fresh display of Western discord over Middle East peace efforts, the United States said on Monday its Israel embassy would move to Jerusalem by the end of 2019, while its European Union allies voiced support for East…
U.S. to send diplomatic team to Europe to discuss Iran
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States plans to send a diplomatic team to Europe to discuss the Iran nuclear deal and countering Iranian activities in the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Monday according to a U.S. pool repo…
Belgium reduces security threat level
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Belgium reduced its national threat level on Monday, saying a militant attack had become less likely almost two years after bombings killed 32 people in Brussels.
Contrite pope apologises for sexual abuse comments that ‘wounded many’
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (Reuters) – Pope Francis, in an extremely rare act of self-criticism, apologised to victims of clerical sex abuse on Sunday, acknowledging he had “wounded many” in comments defending a Chilean bishop who is under scrutiny.
ILO to investigate employers’ complaint against Venezuela government
GENEVA (Reuters) – The International Labour Organization will send a mission to Caracas next week to investigate a complaint by Venezuela’s leading business group against the government, ILO Director-General Guy Ryder told a news conference in Geneva o…
EU puts more North Koreans under sanctions over nuclear tests
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union imposed travel bans and asset freezes on North Koreans accused of helping Pyongyang evade United Nations sanctions linked to the secretive country’s nuclear and ballistic missile tests.
