Catalonia to stick to independence road map despite Spanish stalemate
LONDON (Reuters) – Catalonia will stick to its timetable for independence from Spain despite the national political stalemate and the Madrid government’s refusal to negotiate, the region’s foreign policy chief said on Wednesday.
Foes begin drive to recall Venezuela leader amid unrest
CARACAS/MARACAIBO (Reuters) – Venezuela’s opposition began a signature drive on Wednesday seeking a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro as sporadic looting and protests over the economic crisis were reported.
Austrian parliament passes package on tougher asylum rules
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austria’s parliament on Wednesday passed a legislative package paving the way for tougher asylum measures, including an accelerated process for assessing potential asylum claims under which migrants could be turned away at the border…
Syrian Kurdish leader sees Turkish hand in border closure
BEIRUT/AMUDA, Syria (Reuters) – The Kurdish government in Iraq has dealt a blow to Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Syria by keeping the border closed for more than one month, an economic and political setback for the Syrian region as it plans for …
Venezuela economic crisis means fewer meals, more starch
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s soaring prices and chronic shortages have left 65-year-old homemaker Alida Gonzalez struggling to put meals on the table.
Turkish businessman pleads not guilty to U.S. charges over Iran sanctions
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A Turkish businessman pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges that he and others conspired to conduct hundreds of millions of dollars in financial transactions for the Iranian government or other entities to evade U.S. sanctions…
Hungarian PM stands by embattled central bank chief
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban voiced his support for central bank governor, Gyorgy Matolcsy, on Wednesday, saying he unequivocally backed him despite opposition calls for him to quit over possible misuse of public funds.
Austria plans fence at Italian border: police chief to paper
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austria may build a 400-metre border fence at its Brenner crossing with Italy, the police chief for the province of Tyrol said on Wednesday, according to the Tiroler Tageszeitung newspaper.
Iran’s Supreme Leader says U.S. lifted sanctions only on paper
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran’s Supreme Leader accused the United States on Wednesday of scaring businesses away from Tehran and undermining a deal to lift international sanctions.
‘Remain’ has 7-point lead ahead of Britain’s EU referendum: Survation poll
LONDON (Reuters) – Support for Britain to remain in the European Union stands at 45 percent while support for “Leave” is at 38 percent ahead of a referendum on EU membership on June 23, according to a Survation poll for online brokerage group IG publis…
