South Africa local government vote in August a test for Zuma
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa will hold local government elections on Aug. 3, President Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday, in what looks likely to become a referendum on his leadership after an attempt to impeach him and mounting concern about weak …
Russia says its planes hit Nusra Front positions in Syria
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian aircraft have hit positions of the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front near the Syrian city of Aleppo, thwarting an attempted offensive, Russia’s Defence Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
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…
