‘El Chapo’ to remain in solitary confinement, U.S. judge rules
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman will remain in solitary confinement in a federal prison in New York City, a U.S. judge ruled Thursday, although he will be allowed to send pre-screened messages to his wife for personal r…
Iran reformists to back Rouhani re-election, though some voters grow cool
ANKARA (Reuters) – Iran’s main pro-reform opposition leaders plan to speak out from their confinement under house arrest this month to publicly back President Hassan Rouhani for re-election, aides say, helping win over voters disillusioned with the slo…
Iran says ready for Saudi talks despite ‘unlawful, inflammatory’ remarks
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Iran said on Thursday it is ready for talks with Saudi Arabia to promote regional peace despite “unlawful and inflammatory” remarks by the Saudi deputy crown prince, who vowed to protect his kingdom from what he called Irania…
U.S. House approves tighter North Korea sanctions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation on Thursday to tighten sanctions on North Korea by targeting its shipping industry and companies that do business with the reclusive state.
Tillerson urges ASEAN to cut North Korea funding, minimize ties
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Thursday to do more to help cut funding streams for North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and to minimize diplomatic relations with Pyongyang.
U.N. condemns ‘callous’ attack on base in South Sudan
JUBA (Reuters) – An overnight attack against a U.N. operating base in northern South Sudan showed “callous disregard” for civilians and aid workers, the head of the U.N. mission in the war-ravaged country said on Thursday.
Swiss bank account ‘spy thriller’ case may deepen, says German official
BERLIN (Reuters) – A German state minister expressed alarm on Thursday at reports Switzerland had a spy in the regional finance ministry to find out how it obtained details of secret Swiss bank accounts, saying it threatened to compound a scandal that …
Trump, Colombia’s Santos to meet May 18 at White House: statement
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump will host Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos this month to discuss the implementation of Bogota’s peace accord as well as efforts to counter “democratic backsliding in Venezuela,” according to the …
Thousands protest at Yemen president’s sacking of southern leaders
ADEN (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Yemenis protested in Aden on Thursday against President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s sacking of the provincial governor and a cabinet minister widely praised for helping drive Iran-aligned Houthis from the city in 2015…
Syrian rebels reject Russia’s proposal for safe zones
ASTANA (Reuters) – Syria’s armed opposition on Thursday rejected a Russian plan to create safe zones in Syria, calling it a threat to the country’s territorial integrity, and said it would also not recognize Iran as a guarantor of any ceasefire plan.
