Brazil leader Rousseff’s popularity undented by Petrobras scandal
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s approval rating has not suffered from a widening corruption scandal involving state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA and many Brazilians continue to trust her, a poll showed on Wednesday.
U.S. slaps sanctions on Swiss, Dutch companies over Syria
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Wednesday slapped sanctions on Dutch and Swiss oil trading firms for their dealings with the Syrian government, which has been engaged in bloody civil war with opposition forces.
EU parliament backs compromise resolution on Palestinian state
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Wednesday supporting Palestinian statehood in principle, in a compromise motion that did not follow some European national legislatures in backing immediate recognition of a Palestini…
EU to tighten sanctions on Crimea in time for leaders summit: officials
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union will widen its ban on investment in Crimea to target Russian Black Sea oil and gas exploration, EU officials said on Wednesday, tightening sanctions first imposed over Moscow’s annexation of the region.
Kenya parliament to vote on amendments meant to improve security
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya’s parliament is due to vote on Thursday on a bill to let police hold terror-related suspects for a year and take other measures that rights activists say would threaten civil liberties and free speech.
Iraq seeks one-year deferral on Gulf War reparations
GENEVA (Reuters) – Iraq has requested a one-year deferral of a $4.6 billion reparations payment for destroying Kuwait’s oil facilities during its 1990-91 occupation, a U.N. official said on Wednesday.
Cuban president to make announcement on U.S. relations
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuban President Raul Castro will speak to his nation at noon on Wednesday about relations with the United States, Cuban state television reported.
Australia orders sweeping investigation after deadly hostage siege
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Wednesday ordered a sweeping investigation into a deadly hostage siege after tough new security laws and the courts failed to stop a convicted felon from walking into a Sydney cafe with a conc…
Myanmar court jails former opposition official accused of insulting Buddhism
YANGON (Reuters) – A prominent former official with Myanmar’s main opposition party was detained on Wednesday and faces charges of insulting religion, which stemmed from a speech intended to discourage extremist interpretations of Buddhism, his lawyer said.
Inquiry clears British soldiers of murder and torture of Iraqis
LONDON (Reuters) – Allegations that British troops executed captured Iraqi prisoners and tortured or seriously abused others after a battle in 2004 were based on lies, a long-running inquiry concluded on Wednesday, exonerating the armed forces.
