Leftist Colombia rebels say paramilitary attacks slow peace deal
HAVANA (Reuters) – Colombia’s Marxist FARC rebels said an increase in violence by paramilitary groups made it harder to reach a final peace accord with the government as the two sides met for a round of negotiations in Cuba on Wednesday.
Ordinary Cubans hope for change after Obama’s visit
HAVANA (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s historic March visit to Cuba has not fixed all of the thorny issues between the two countries, but it did spark hope among Havana residents that closer ties with the United States will improve their lives.
Zuma’s son alleges plot to remove South African president
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African President Jacob Zuma’s son said on Wednesday that there was an orchestrated plot to remove his father from the helm of Africa’s most industrialized economy.
Pakistan says it has arrested Afghan intelligence agent in province
Quetta, Pakistan (Reuters) – Pakistan on Wednesday arrested a suspected Afghan spy believed to be behind assassinations and bombings in its Baluchistan province, security and government officials told Reuters.
Egyptian satellite stops broadcasting Hezbollah-controlled TV station
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Egyptian satellite company NileSat has stopped broadcasting Hezbollah-controlled Lebanese television channel Al Manar, an official said on Wednesday, a move the Iranian-backed group condemned as part of a campaign by Gulf Arab states…
Serbia must change war crimes law before it can join EU, Croatia says
ZAGREB (Reuters) – Serbia must change its law on prosecuting crimes committed during the 1990s Balkan wars as a condition for completing European Union membership negotiations, Croatia said on Wednesday.
Italian police use tear gas, water cannon in Naples anti-Renzi protests
NAPLES, Italy (Reuters) – Italian police fired tear gas and water cannon on Wednesday during running battles with protesters demonstrating against Prime Minister Matteo Renzi during a visit to the southern city of Naples.
Iraq puts northern offensive against Islamic State on hold
ERBIL/BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) – An Iraqi army offensive touted as the first phase of a campaign to recapture the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State has been paused until more forces arrive to hold ground, the commander in charge said on Wednesda…
France abandons bid to appoint gay ambassador to Vatican
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday appointed to a different post a diplomat he had originally nominated as ambassador to the Holy See, who media said had been rejected by the Vatican because he was gay.
Turkey launches inquiry into leak of 50 million citizens’ data
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey is investigating how hackers have posted online the identity data of some 50 million Turks, including what they said were details about the president and prime minister, after what is believed to be the biggest data breach s…
