Syria’s Assad says Putin has not talked about political transition
(Reuters) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview broadcast on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has never talked to him about leaving power, despite pressure from Washington for Assad to step down.
Bahrain wields travel curbs in crackdown on opponents: activists
DUBAI (Reuters) – After a border official stopped him leaving Bahrain last week, citing a security order, Mohammed al-Tajer said he checked with the departments in charge of passports and investigations and was told no travel ban was in place.
Exclusive: Yemen slides closer to famine as frozen bank funds curb food imports
LONDON/ABU DHABI (Reuters) – Many areas of Yemen are close to famine partly because importers are unable to buy new food stocks from abroad as over $200 million is stuck in banks due to the civil war disruption, trade and aid sources involved say.
Russia offers to fly warplanes more safely over Baltics
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Moscow offered to fly its jets over the Baltic region with their transponders engaged, an apparent concession to NATO powers who accuse Russia’s air force of endangering aviation by turning off the devices that allow them to be det…
Brazil’s Temer ally is new lower house speaker, eyes reforms
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s lower house of Congress elected an ally of interim President Michel Temer as its new speaker late on Wednesday, marking a victory for a government racing to approve unpopular economic reforms.
Attacks in Saudi Arabia bear hallmarks of Islamic State: CIA head
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – CIA director John Brennan said on Wednesday recent attacks in Saudi Arabia bore the hallmarks of Islamic State, and that the militant group was a very serious threat to the kingdom.
Peru now ready to destroy coca fields in rebel haven: anti-narcotics chief
LIMA (Reuters) – Peru’s anti-narcotics agency Devida said it is now ready to destroy coca plants in a lawless jungle region where most cocaine in the Andean country is produced, urging the incoming government to take action.
Mali World Heritage site in danger: UNESCO
DAKAR (Reuters) – A World Heritage site in central Mali that features elaborate pre-Islamic mud houses is in danger of deteriorating because it cannot be protected adequately in the face of insecurity, UNESCO said on Wednesday.
France’s Sarkozy back with a chance in presidential primaries
PARIS (Reuters) – For months, his main rival, Alain Juppe, was all the rage while he was dubbed “the Napoleon of supermarkets” by a left-wing news magazine as he toured malls signing copies of his book.
Tokyo governor race a fight to save reputation as Olympics host
TOKYO (Reuters) – Campaigning ahead of an election for Tokyo governor kicked off on Thursday, with candidates vying to save the city’s reputation as host of the 2020 Summer Olympics after the previous two governors quit due to money scandals.
