U.S. to respond to Venezuela’s demand to cut U.S. Embassy staff
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States said on Tuesday it would respond through diplomatic channels to Venezuela’s demand for a cut in U.S. Embassy staff in Caracas, but added that Caracas had drastically underestimated its own diplomatic presence in…
Iran calls Obama’s 10-year nuclear demand ‘unacceptable’
MONTREUX, Switzerland (Reuters) – Iran rejected on Tuesday as “unacceptable” U.S. President Barack Obama’s demand that it freeze sensitive nuclear activities for at least 10 years but said it would continue talks on a deal, Iran’s semi-official Fars ne…
Brazilian judge orders deportation of fugitive Italian leftist
BRASILIA (Reuters) – A Brazilian judge has annulled the visa of an Italian former leftist guerrilla wanted for murder in his country and ordered that he be deported in a case that has long roiled relations between the two nations.
Kerry visits Riyadh to soothe fears of stronger Iran under nuclear deal
MONTREUX, Switzerland/RIYADH (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry flies to Riyadh this week to try to reassure King Salman that any nuclear deal with Iran will be in Saudi interests, despite the kingdom’s fears that it may boost Tehran’s back…
Iraqi forces try to seal off Islamic State around Tikrit
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Thousands of Iraqi soldiers and Shi’ite militiamen sought to seal off Islamic State fighters in Tikrit and nearby towns on Tuesday, the second day of Iraq’s biggest offensive yet against a stronghold of the Sunni militants.
Greek government to tackle ‘humanitarian crisis’ in first parliamentary bill
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece’s government submitted a bill to offer free food and electricity to thousands of poverty-stricken Greeks as its first legislative act in parliament, in a symbolic move to address what it calls a “humanitarian crisis”.
Three dead as Kiev accuses Ukraine rebels of shelling
KIEV/DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) – Three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and nine wounded as pro-Russian rebels shelled government positions despite a ceasefire deal, the military said on Tuesday, announcing Kiev’s highest casualty toll in several days…
U.S. proposes making Radio Marti, broadcaster to Cuba, independent
WASHINGTON/MIAMI (Reuters) – The White House has proposed turning Radio Marti, a U.S. government-controlled broadcaster created in part to undermine communist rule in Cuba, into a separate entity as Washington seeks rapprochement with Havana.
Five dead in Qaeda suicide attack on Houthis in central Yemen
SANAA (Reuters) – Five people were killed in an al Qaeda suicide attack on a Houthi outpost in central Yemen on Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said, highlighting the volatility of a country torn by militant and sectarian violence.
Rival Libyan forces carry out air strikes, militants storm oilfield
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – Rival Libyan forces carried out tit-for-tat air strikes on oil terminals and an airport on Tuesday, escalating their battle for control of the oil-producing country days before United Nations peace talks are to resume in Mor…
