Catalan parties start independence roadmap, Rajoy vows to block it
MADRID (Reuters) – Catalan separatists launched their so-called roadmap for independence on Tuesday, offering a declaration in the regional parliament to split Catalonia from Spain, which Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has vowed to block.
Turkey takes over Gulen-linked firms, intensifying crackdown before election
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish authorities took over the management on Tuesday of 22 companies including newspapers and TV stations linked to a U.S.-based cleric and arch-enemy of President Tayyip Erdogan, intensifying a crackdown days ahead of an electi…
Top U.S. general says could recommend locating U.S. troops with Iraqis
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The top U.S. military officer said on Tuesday he would consider recommending putting U.S. forces with Iraqi troops to fight Islamic State if that would improve the chances of defeating the militants.
U.N. lifts security zone around Mali town as security improves
BAMAKO (Reuters) – U.N. peacekeepers are lifting a security zone they imposed around the town of Kidal in northern Mali because fears of an attack have diminished after rival clans signed a peace deal earlier this month, a U.N. spokeswoman said on Tues…
Dutch Queen Maxima to return to Netherlands due to infected kidney
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Dutch Queen Maxima of the Netherlands will cut short a state visit to China and return to the Netherlands due to a kidney infection, the Royal House said on Tuesday.
Polish vote marks resurgence of conservative Catholic values
WARSAW (Reuters) – Church attendance may be falling in Poland as elsewhere across Europe, but the victory of conservative opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party in Sunday’s election will likely advance the role of Roman Catholic values in public life a…
Brazil’s unpopular leader faces resistance on tax hike: poll
BRASILIA (Reuters) – President Dilma Rousseff’s popularity remains in the single digits in the midst of recession and most Brazilians are not willing to pay more taxes to help her plug a gaping fiscal deficit, according to an opinion poll published on …
Kosovo takes step towards joining European Union
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Kosovo took a step towards possible European Union membership on Tuesday, signing a trade and political pact with Brussels less than a decade after unilaterally declaring independence from Serbia.
Brussels chides EU governments for failing on migration pledges
STRASBOURG (Reuters) – Europe’s governments are sapping efforts to tackle the migration crisis by not honoring commitments on money and resources, EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday in a biting attack on national leaders.
Hamas looks to leverage wave of anti-Israel violence
GAZA (Reuters) – The studio of Hamas-run Al-Aqsa TV is decorated with slogans praising the “knife intifada” against Israel. Video clips and rousing songs glorify the daily attacks, while the presenters all wear black-and-white Keffiyeh scarves.
