After 15 years in power, Putin risks running out of luck
MOSCOW (Reuters) – When Vladimir Putin was handed power unexpectedly by an ailing Boris Yeltsin on the last day of the last century, his first move was to go on television to guarantee Russia the freedoms needed for a “civilized society”.
Cuban dissidents say Yoani Sanchez’s husband, others detained in Havana
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuban police detained at least four political opponents on Tuesday, including the husband of prominent blogger Yoani Sanchez, hours before a performance artist planned to stage an unauthorized open microphone event, dissidents said.
El Salvador homicides jump 56 percent as gang truce unravels
SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) – Homicides in El Salvador jumped by 56 percent this year as a truce between its most powerful street gangs crumbled, authorities said on Tuesday.
Ukraine denies radioactive leak on Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian authorities denied on Tuesday a report in pro-Kremlin media that a radioactive leak had taken place at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant, Europe’s largest.
U.S. calls for release of Americans in Iran, denies swap deal
WASHINGTON/DUBAI (Reuters) – The United States called on Tuesday for the release of U.S. citizens held in Iran, but denied a report that Washington had proposed a prisoner exchange for a former U.S. Marine.
Head of religious party in Israel resigns before election
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The leader of Israel’s largest ultra-Orthodox Jewish party resigned from parliament on Tuesday, throwing the faction into crisis and adding another twist in the run-up to an election on March 17.
Kremlin critic Navalny given suspended sentence, brother jailed
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Russian court gave Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny a suspended sentence on Tuesday for embezzling money but jailed his brother for three and a half years in a case seen as part of a campaign to stifle dissent.
Turkey’s top judicial body suspends graft probe prosecutors: agency
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s top judicial body has suspended four prosecutors who initiated a corruption investigation that targeted the inner circle of President Tayyip Erdogan, Dogan news agency reported on Tuesday.
U.S. to station 150 armored vehicles in Europe
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The United States plans by the end of next year to station around 150 tanks and armored vehicles in Europe for use by U.S. forces training there, according to a U.S. military commander.
U.S. calls for release of Americans in Iran, denies swap deal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States called on Tuesday for the release of U.S. citizens held in Iran, but denied a report that Washington had proposed a prisoner exchange for a former U.S. Marine.
