Secret talks in Canada, Vatican City led to Cuba breakthrough
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The historic breakthrough in U.S.-Cuban relations began in spring 2013, when President Barack Obama authorized secret talks with Havana, the same tactic he used to open nuclear negotiations with Iran.
Colombia’s FARC rebels call conditional unlimited ceasefire
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s Marxist FARC rebels have declared an indefinite unilateral ceasefire beginning on Dec. 20 but promised to call it off if they come under attack by government forces, the group said on its website on Wednesday.
Opponent calls for Putin’s exit as Russia slides into crisis
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A prominent opponent has warned Vladimir Putin his days in power are numbered, as Russia awaits the president’s response to the dramatic decline of the rouble.
Yemeni premier suggests he could resign as Houthis tighten grip
SANAA (Reuters) – Yemeni Prime Minister Khaled Bahah on Wednesday suggested that his government could resign, expressing exasperation after Houthi rebels who control the capital Sanaa raided state institutions and sacked public officials.
Iran calls nuclear talks ‘very useful’; next meeting in Jan
GENEVA (Reuters) – Iran’s deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday he had “very useful and helpful” nuclear negotiations with major powers in Geneva.
U.S. global aid chief announces resignation
WASHINGTON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The head of the U.S. global development agency announced on Wednesday that he will step down from his post in February, saying he had “mixed emotions” about leaving but did not elaborate.
Iraq Kurds launch Sinjar offensive after coalition air strikes
ARBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – Kurdish forces launched an operation to retake the town of Sinjar in northwest Iraq on Wednesday after coalition planes pounded Islamic State positions overnight, Kurdish officials said.
Greek premier prepared European ground before vote gamble
ATHENS (Reuters) – Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has bet on Greece’s future with an early vote for the presidency. But in contrast to a recent predecessor, he made sure before dropping the bombshell that Berlin and Brussels wouldn’t stand in the way.
Sudan warns South Sudan against ‘hostile moves’ by rebels in its territory
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Sudan’s intelligence chief warned South Sudan against “hostile moves from its territory”, saying any incursion by rebel forces based in its neighbor would be treated as an “assault” by Juba.
EU court says Hamas should be removed from terror list
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas should be removed from the European Union’s terrorist list, an EU court ruled on Wednesday, saying the decision to include it was based on media reports not considered analysis.
