Knights of Malta defy pope’s investigation into sacking of top member
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The order of the Knights of Malta has refused to cooperate with a Vatican investigation ordered by Pope Francis, in the latest twist of a public spat between two of the world’s oldest institutions.
For Russia, U.S. election meddling claims strip Trump win of luster
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Kremlin says U.S. intelligence agency allegations it ran an influence campaign to help President-elect Donald Trump win the White House are false. But if U.S. spies are right, Moscow may wish it hadn’t bothered to meddle in the f…
Tillerson says would support maintaining Russia sanctions for now
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, said on Wednesday he would support maintaining U.S. sanctions on Russia until the United States further develops its approach to the country.
Hamas sets ‘honey traps’ to hack Israeli soldiers’ phones: army
TEL AVIV (Reuters) – Using photos of young women and Hebrew slang, the Palestinian militant group Hamas chatted up dozens of Israeli soldiers online, gaining control of their phone cameras and microphones, the military said on Wednesday.
Islamic State supporters post video of German hostage believed kidnapped
CAIRO (Reuters) – Islamic State supporters posted a video on Wednesday showing an elderly German man believed to have been kidnapped by Filipino Islamist Abu Sayyaf rebels last November.
Taiwan scrambles jets, navy as China aircraft carrier enters Taiwan Strait
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan scrambled jets and navy ships on Wednesday as a group of Chinese warships, led by its sole aircraft carrier, sailed through the Taiwan Strait, the latest sign of heightened tension between Beijing and the self-ruled island.
Italy court blocks referendum to scrap Renzi’s labor reform
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday rejected a bid by the country’s biggest trade union to force a referendum on a labor reform enacted by former prime minister Matteo Renzi that made it easier to fire workers.
EU presidency warns of risk to any Brexit deal from European Parliament
VALLETTA (Reuters) – The prime minister of Malta, who will oversee the launch of Britain’s negotiations to leave the EU, warned on Wednesday that the European Parliament could “scuttle” any Brexit deal and must be involved in talks.
Philippines hopes South China Sea ‘conduct code’ ready this year
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines, seeking to improve relations with China, hopes a framework for a code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea will be completed by the middle of this year, its foreign minister said on Wednesday.
Kenyan opposition forms alliance in unity bid before August election
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenyan opposition political parties announced an alliance on Wednesday to fight the August presidential and parliamentary elections against President Uhuru Kenyatta’s coalition.
