Venezuela opposition win unleashes jokes and insults
CARACAS (Reuters) – The most ubiquitous image in Venezuela of recent years has been a stylized depiction of late socialist leader Hugo Chavez’s eyes gazing paternally from billboards, T-shirts and buildings around the nation.
Iran says groups linked to ISIS are at Riyadh talks
ANKARA (Reuters) – Iran said on Thursday groups linked to Islamic State were involved in talks on forming a delegation for negotiations on the future of Syria, the semi-official Iranian news agency Fars reported.
Hungary rejects EU criticism over asylum law
BRUSSELS/BUDAPEST (Reuters) – The European Commission launched an “infringement case” against Hungary over its asylum legislation on Thursday, a move Budapest dismissed as an act of revenge for its rejection of mandatory migrant quotas.
Vatican says Catholics should not try to convert Jews, should fight anti-semitism
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Catholics should not try to convert Jews and should work with them to fight anti-Semitism, the Vatican said on Thursday in a major document drawing the Church further away from the strained relations of the past.
Argentina’s Macri sworn in as president, ousting Peronists
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Mauricio Macri took office as Argentina’s first non-Peronist president in 16 years on Thursday, ending more than a decade of leftist populism with a promise to revive the South American country’s ailing economy.
Bangladesh lifts ban on Facebook
DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladesh lifted a ban on Facebook on Thursday, three weeks after blocking it in anticipation of protests after the Supreme Court upheld death penalties on two opposition leaders, a government official said.
Iraqi forces dislodge Islamic State militants from two key areas in Ramadi
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi security forces have made advances on two fronts in the city of Ramadi, clearing Islamic State militants from a key military command base and a sprawling neighborhood on its western edge, army officials said.
Iran recruits Pakistani Shi’ites for combat in Syria
BEIRUT (Reuters) – For years, websites linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard have posted articles eulogizing Shi’ite fighters who die in Syria. But two men heralded last month for dying to defend a shrine near Damascus were different from most martyrs given such treatment in the past: they were Pakistanis.
Germany’s Steinmeier urges EU to unite on refugees, or else fail
BERLIN (Reuters) – The European Union must unite in its response to dealing with the huge number of refugees surging into the bloc or else it will fail, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Thursday.
Afghan spy chief resigns after fallout with president
KABUL (Reuters) – The head of Afghanistan’s main intelligence agency resigned on Thursday over disagreements with President Ashraf Ghani, laying bare divisions that have hindered efforts to fight the growing Taliban insurgency.
