In Jamaica, Obama seeks to reassert U.S. leadership in Caribbean
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters) – President Barack Obama arrived in Jamaica on Wednesday to attend a Caribbean summit seeking to reassert U.S. leadership in the region at time when oil-producing Venezuela’s economic clout may be receding.
Defying U.S., Cuba stands by Venezuela on eve of regional summit
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba said on Wednesday it would remain steadfast by Venezuela even as it seeks to improve ties with the United States, criticizing Washington’s Venezuela policy before a summit meeting where the U.S. and Cuban leaders will meet face-…
Asia’s LGBT people migrate to escape violence at home
BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Long before Joe Wong surgically removed his breasts and uterus, he was Joleen, who once used an entire roll of brown duct tape to flatten her chest in an effort to look less feminine at her new secondary school in…
Constant threats ‘part of life’ for top Ugandan LGBT activist
NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – In Uganda, homosexuality is considered akin to pedophilia, and prominent LGBT activist Frank Mugisha regards the threats he constantly receives as “part of life.”
Yemen’s Houthis battle in central Aden, first medical aid arrives
ADEN, Yemen (Reuters) – Houthi forces fought street-by-street battles with local militia in the old center of Aden on Wednesday, as the first boatloads of emergency medical aid reached the south Yemeni port city, which relief workers say faces a humani…
French broadcaster TV5Monde hacked: Yahoo News
(Reuters) – French television network TV5Monde was hacked late on Wednesday by individuals claiming they support Islamic State, Yahoo News reported, citing a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Islamic State releases more than 200 captive Yazidis in Iraq
KIRKUK, Iraq (Reuters) – More than 200 elderly and infirm Yazidis were freed on Wednesday by Islamic State militants who had been holding them captive since overruning their villages in northwestern Iraq last summer.
Greek PM gets support, not money from Putin
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras moral support and long-term cooperation but no financial aid on Wednesday, leaving Athens to fend for itself in resolving urgent debt problems with Western …
U.S. deports ex-El Salvador defense minister accused of torture
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Wednesday deported Carlos Eugenio Vides Casanova, El Salvador’s former defense minister, accused of involvement in torture and killings 30 years ago during the Central American country’s bloody civil war, U.S…
Palestinians expand security control in West Bank: police
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – Palestinian police said on Wednesday they had extended their security control in parts of the occupied West Bank following a deal with Israel, launching armed patrols for the first time in towns near Jerusalem.
