U.N. rights boss urges Iran to halt death penalty, free spiritual figure
GENEVA (Reuters) – The top U.N. human rights official called on Iran on Wednesday to release a spiritual figure sentenced to death at the weekend and end its longtime “problematic” use of executions.
China says has stopped reclamation work in South China Sea
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday that Beijing had halted land reclamation in the South China Sea, and called on countries in the region to speed up talks on how claimant states should conduct themselves in the…
Official killed in Burundi as crisis deepens
NAIROBI (Reuters) – A local leader of Burundi’s ruling party was attacked and killed in the capital Bujumbura, officials said on Wednesday, the third high-profile attack in three days.
Don’t treat divorced Catholics as outcasts, Pope tells priests
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis told priests on Wednesday to be more merciful to Catholics who have divorced and remarried outside the Church, saying they should not be treated as if they had been excommunicated.
Russia’s Lavrov criticizes Obama over missile shield plans
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s foreign minister said on Wednesday U.S. President Barack Obama appeared not to have told the truth in 2009 comments about the need for a planned missile shield in Europe should a nuclear deal be reached with Iran.
Syrian Islamist group says had been in talks with Iran
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian Islamist insurgent group Ahrar al-Sham said on Wednesday it had been in talks with an Iranian delegation regarding the Syrian city of Zabadani but that the discussions had been halted.
Britain’s most high-profile Islamist cleric charged with IS support
LONDON (Reuters) – Anjem Choudary, Britain’s most high-profile Islamist preacher, well-known globally for praising the men responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, was charged on Wednesday with inviting support for Islamic State (IS)….
Malaysia’s anti-graft unit to ask Najib to explain $671 million donation
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia’s anti-graft unit said in a statement on Wednesday it would ask Prime Minister Najib Razak to explain a 2.6 billion ringgit ($671 million) donation that was deposited into his private bank account.
Greek PM Tsipras says deal with lenders is close
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Wednesday Greece is close to concluding a deal with lenders on a multi billion euro bailout, which he said would end doubts over the country’s presence in the euro zone.
President-elect says Poland should be part of Ukraine peace talks: PAP
WARSAW (Reuters) – Poland together with Ukraine’s other neighbors should be involved in resolving the crisis in eastern Ukraine, Poland’s president-elect Andrzej Duda said.
