Russian MPs back initial proposal to curb foreign media ownership
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian lawmakers gave initial backing on Tuesday to a draft law limiting foreign ownership of Russian media to 20 percent from the existing ceiling of 50 percent, a move critics say will reinforce the dominance of outlets loyal to t…
Iran says nuclear suspicions are ‘fabricated ambiguities’
VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran dismissed on Tuesday as “fabricated ambiguities” suspicions that it has carried out nuclear arms research, a day after it came under renewed Western pressure to help clear up U.N. watchdog concerns about its atomic energy progra…
Putin warns Ukraine against implementing EU deal -letter
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Moscow will curtail Ukraine’s access to vital Russian markets if Kiev implements any part of a trade agreement with the European Union, President Vladimir Putin warned in a letter, toughening his stance on a deal at the center of E…
Ghani ‘seen moving quickly to sign pact on foreign forces’ in Afghanistan
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Afghanistan’s next president, Ashraf Ghani, is expected to sign legal documents within 24 hours of taking office next week allowing foreign troops to stay in his country beyond 2014, a senior NATO diplomat said on Tuesday.
Israel downs Syrian warplane it says violated its Golan airspace
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel shot down a Syrian warplane on Tuesday, saying the aircraft crossed the battle lines of Syria’s civil war and flew over the Israeli-held Golan Heights, perhaps by accident.
Exclusive: Libya asks chemical weapons watchdog to remove stockpile – sources
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Libya has asked the global chemical weapons watchdog to draw up plans to ship a stockpile of 850 tonnes of chemicals overseas due to deteriorating security, sources have told Reuters.
Iran’s Rouhani says ties with Saudis deserve to be warmer
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia deserves to be better, though differences between the two oil-producing Middle Eastern states appear to be narrowing, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday.
UK’s opposition Labour party pledges tobacco levy if wins power next year
MANCHESTER England (Reuters) – Britain’s opposition Labour party said on Tuesday it would introduce a U.S.-style “sin tax” on tobacco firms if it wins a national election next year, sending shares in the leading cigarette groups lower on the day.
Kerry tells North Korea to shut ‘evil system’ of prison camps
NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday called on North Korea to close its prison camps, saying their existence and the systematic torture, punishment and execution of people bring shame on the country.
South Africa says nuclear power deal with Russia in early stages
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s nuclear cooperation deal signed this week with Russia is part of a tender process that will involve other competing countries and is not a contract to build power plants, government officials said on Tuesday.
