Italian government gets economy bill through Senate despite friction
ROME (Reuters) – The Italian parliament approved the government’s latest economic forecasts on Wednesday, but the Senate vote exposed deep divisions on the political left that could complicate the drafting of the 2018 budget.
Mexico plans aid for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Suffering itself after two major earthquakes last month, Mexico plans to send aid including water and electricity experts to Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Maria.
Putin says military strike against North Korea not sure to succeed
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that a military strike against North Korea designed to destroy its nuclear and missile program might not succeed because Pyongyang could have hidden military facilities that nobody knows ab…
Catalonia moves to declare independence from Spain on Monday
BARCELONA/MADRID (Reuters) – Catalonia will move on Monday to declare independence from Spain after holding a banned referendum, pushing the European Union nation toward a rupture that threatens the foundations of its young democracy.
Russia’s Putin says hasn’t decided if he will run in 2018 election
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday he had not yet decided whether he would run for re-election in March 2018, something he is widely expected to do.
Venezuela’s Maduro thanks Putin for support in difficult times
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his political and diplomatic support in difficult times.
Prankster, coughing fits mar Theresa May’s speech to activists
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Theresa May’s bid to reassert her dwindling authority was marred on Wednesday by a calamitous keynote speech interrupted by repeated coughing fits, a prankster and even letters of her slogan falling off the stage.
Chemical weapons watchdog found sarin used in Syria attack: sources
AMSTERDAM/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Samples examined by the global chemical weapons watchdog have tested positive for the banned nerve agent sarin in an attack in an opposition-held Syrian town in March, sources told Reuters on Wednesday.
Russia throws North Korea lifeline to stymie regime change
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia is quietly boosting economic support for North Korea to try to stymie any U.S.-led push to oust Kim Jong Un as Moscow fears his fall would sap its regional clout and allow U.S. troops to deploy on Russia’s eastern border.
Swedish court orders Bombardier employee to be released from custody
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – An employee of Canadian aircraft and train maker Bombardier facing bribery charges in Sweden is to be released immediately from custody, his lawyer said on Wednesday.
