Chinese town trades lead poison test results for milk
DAPU China (Reuters) – After a test showed farmer Zhao Heping’s toddler grandson had high levels of lead in his blood two years ago, local officials in China’s Hunan province offered the child medicine, he says – and milk. In return, Zhao says, officials asked that he hand over his grandson’s blood test results.
Ukraine sees Russian role in air strike on town
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine has made fresh charges of Russian involvement in its conflict with separatist rebels, suggesting Moscow may have had a role in an air strike on Tuesday that killed 11 people.
Iran looks to prolonging nuclear talks; U.S. demands cuts
VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran and six world powers on Tuesday appeared likely to extend talks on Tehran’s nuclear program beyond a July 20 deadline, while Washington said the Islamic Republic must cut its capacity to make nuclear fuel to secure a deal to end…
Mexico tries to relaunch stranded North Korean ship
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican rescue workers were trying to refloat a North Korean vessel stranded in the Gulf of Mexico a few miles from a port where it had planned to load fertilizer, authorities said on Tuesday.
Pakistan military captures Taliban commander
DERA ISMAIL KHAN Pakistan (Reuters) – The Pakistani military has captured a Taliban commander who once tried to blow up former president Pervez Musharraf, security officials said on Tuesday.
Car bomb attack kills at least 89 in Afghanistan
GARDEZ Afghanistan (Reuters) – A car packed with explosives exploded on Tuesday as it sped through a crowded market in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Paktika, killing at least 89 people, officials said, one of the most violent attacks in the country…
Georgian ambassador at time of 2008 war with Russia found dead
TBILISI (Reuters) – Georgia’s former ambassador to Russia at the time of the two countries’ 2008 war was found shot to death on Tuesday in his car at the Tbilisi apartment block where he lived, the state prosecutor’s office said.
Iraq names moderate Sunni parliament speaker in move to break political deadlock
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi politicians named a moderate Sunni Islamist as speaker of parliament on Tuesday, a long-delayed first step towards a power-sharing government urgently needed to save the state from disintegration in the face of a Sunni uprisin…
Chile invokes anti-terrorism laws after device explodes in subway
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – The Chilean government said on Tuesday it will invoke anti-terrorist laws in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the explosion of a homemade device on a Santiago subway train late Sunday night.
Turkish president approves Kurdish peace process law
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish President Abdullah Gul approved a law on Tuesday for peace talks with Kurdish militants in an important step towards ending a three-decade insurgency less than a month before a presidential election.
