Russia gives green light for next U.S. ambassador
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia has given the green light for career diplomat John Tefft to be appointed U.S. ambassador to Moscow, an aide to President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.
U.S. blacklists UAE firm for flouting sanctions on Syria
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Wednesday slapped sanctions on a United Arab Emirates company for supplying specialty petroleum products to the Syrian government, and blacklisted two additional Syrian companies.
Spain arrests 32 in swoop on suspected members of Italy’s Camorra
MADRID (Reuters) – Spanish police have arrested 32 suspected members of Italy’s Camorra crime group they say were involved in drug trafficking, extortion, fraud and money laundering, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.
Iraqi Christians’ flee violence, fear end of long history
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The violence in Iraq is hastening the end of nearly 2,000 years of Christianity there as the few remaining faithful flee Islamic State militants, archbishops from Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk said on Wednesday.
Burundi critic of government denied bail on security charge: lawyer
BUJUMBURA (Reuters) – A rights activist campaigning against constitutional change critics say will upset Burundi’s ethnic balance and entrench President Pierre Nkurunziza in power has failed in his plea for bail, a defense lawyer said on Wednesday.
Turkey’s Kurds prefer peace prospects at home to perilous statehood in Iraq
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – What has long been a dream for the Middle East’s Kurds, an independent state, is within reach in Iraq, but Turkey’s Kurds, wearied by a 30-year conflict with Ankara, see a brighter future at home, where negotiations could deliver t…
Australia denies ‘offensive’ accusations Sri Lanka asylum seekers ill-treated
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Australia on Wednesday rejected accusations of mistreatment by Sri Lankan asylum seekers returned to the island nation, saying the move sent a strong message to those thinking of following in their footsteps.
Both candidates in Indonesia election claim victory; Jokowi ahead in more counts
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Both candidates claimed victory in Indonesia’s presidential election on Wednesday, suggesting there could be a drawn out constitutional battle to decide who will next lead the world’s third-largest democracy.
Yemen extradites Ethiopian opposition official to Addis Ababa: government
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Yemeni authorities have handed over to Ethiopia an opposition official who had been sentenced to death in absentia on charges of plotting to overthrow the Addis Ababa government, state media reported on Wednesday.
Swiss ex-banker charged with giving data to WikiLeaks
ZURICH (Reuters) – A Swiss prosecutor brought charges against former Julius Baer private banker Rudolf Elmer on Wednesday for allegedly handing over confidential data to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and attempting to pass on files to German officia…
