Maradona backs Venezuela’s Maduro, signs for World Cup coverage
CARACAS (Reuters) – Former Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona has voiced fervent support for Venezuela’s socialist President Nicolas Maduro and signed up to work for Caracas-based Telesur TV during next year’s World Cup in Russia.
Catalan strike severs road links as secessionist leader regroups
BARCELONA/MADRID (Reuters) – A general strike called by pro-independence campaigners in Catalonia closed shops and severed transport links on Wednesday, as the region’s deposed leader lost political momentum after failing to seal an electoral pact with…
Saudi coalition lets Yemen’s Aden port reopen
ADEN (Reuters) – The Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthi movement in Yemen has allowed work to resume at the southern port of Aden, two days after ordering a nationwide stoppage, an official there said on Wednesday.
In Abu Dhabi, France’s Macron says must remain firm with Iran
ABU DHABI (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday he wanted to remain firm with Iran regarding its ballistic missile program and influence in the Middle East, but warned regional countries against exacerbating rising tensions.
EU to impose arms embargo on Venezuela, lays basis for sanctions: diplomats
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union is set to impose an arms embargo on Venezuela and will consider further sanctions in response to the political crisis in the South American country, two EU diplomats said.
North Korea says sanctions hurting women, children
GENEVA (Reuters) – North Korea said on Wednesday it was working to uphold women’s rights and gender equality but that sanctions imposed by major powers were taking a toll on vulnerable families.
German court rules in favor of third gender category
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s highest court ruled on Wednesday in favor of the introduction of a third gender category for people who do not identify as either male or female or are born with an ambiguous sexual anatomy.
Islamic State’s footprint spreading in northern Somalia: U.N.
NAIROBI (Reuters) – A militant faction loyal to Islamic State (IS) has increased its following in northern Somalia from a few dozen last year to up to 200 this year, a U.N. report said, days after the group came under U.S. air attack for the first time…
Zimbabwe’s Mugabe: Beware of death on road to presidency
HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday said the route to leadership was long and full of “pitfalls and death”, as he accused his fired deputy and former protege of showing impatience in his bid to succeed him.
In message to Russia, Western powers demand U.N. extend Syria toxic gas inquiry
PARIS (Reuters) – Major Western powers appeared ready for a showdown with Russia at the U.N. Security Council after demanding on Wednesday the renewal of he mandate of an international inquiry into chemical weapons attacks in Syria.
