Nigerian oil ceasefire threatened by local anger at military
WARRI, Nigeria (Reuters) – A truce in the conflict in Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta is in danger of being derailed by anger at the military over the death of an elderly local leader.
Non-Aligned summit set to back Maduro in Venezuela
CARACAS/PORLAMAR, Venezuela (Reuters) – A Non-Aligned Summit in Venezuela will offer solidarity to President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government, a draft of the final document shows, despite opponents’ hopes the event would expose his international i…
Germany and France see fresh momentum from Ukraine ceasefire
KIEV (Reuters) – The German and French foreign ministers said on Wednesday an attempt to revive a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine from midnight could set the scene for agreement next week on further peace moves.
Kerry defends Syria deal with Russia, says Obama backs plan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday sought to diffuse criticism of a U.S.-Russian ceasefire agreement on Syria arguing that without it violence would increase significantly with many more Syrians slaughtered or forced…
Britain’s Johnson says peace in east Ukraine depends mainly on Russia
KIEV (Reuters) – British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Wednesday making progress toward peace in eastern Ukraine depended primarily on the Kremlin, adding that it was crucial for the West to maintain sanctions against Russia.
Zambia’s president Lungu names accountant as finance minister
LUSAKA (Reuters) – Zambian President Edgar Lungu appointed former accountant Felix Mutati as his finance minister on Wednesday as he began naming members of the cabinet following his delayed inauguration this week.
Moroccan king defends adviser over election comment in rare remarks
(This version of the story corrects the spelling of the name of adviser in paragraph 2)
Exclusive: Tankers seized in Yemen port, risking deeper import crisis
LONDON (Reuters) – Authorities in a port controlled by Yemen’s Houthi movement have seized two oil tankers from international traders in a payment dispute, according to the ships’ owners, an incident which could make it more difficult for the country t…
Obama says U.S. is prepared to lift Myanmar sanctions ‘soon’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama said on Wednesday the United States was prepared to lift sanctions on Myanmar “soon” and that democratic progress in the country was incomplete but on the right track.
Rescuers pull 650 boat migrants to safety, find 5 corpses: Italy
ROME (Reuters) – Rescuers pulled some 650 migrants to safety and recovered five dead bodies from boats in difficulty off the coast of Libya on Wednesday, Italy’s coastguard said in a statement.
