Iran, Russia working to seal $20 billion oil-for-goods deal: sources
LONDON/ANKARA (Reuters) – Iran and Russia have made progress toward an oil-for-goods deal that sources said could be worth up to $20 billion and enable Tehran to boost vital energy exports in defiance of Western sanctions, people familiar with the nego…
Russia could achieve Ukraine incursion in 3-5 days
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Russia has massed all the forces it needs on Ukraine’s border if it were to decide to carry out an “incursion” into the country, and it could achieve its objective in three to five days, NATO’s top military commander said on Wednes…
Anti-austerity leftist promoted in French cabinet reshuffle
PARIS (Reuters) – A fierce critic of budget austerity was named French economy minister on Wednesday in a reshuffled government packed with strident personalities, including President Francois Hollande’s former live-in partner Segolene Royal.
Iran says does not seek indefinite power for Assad
ABU DHABI (Reuters) – Iran, Syria’s main regional ally, does not see President Bashar al-Assad staying in power indefinitely but neither does it want “extremist forces” to replace him, a senior Iranian diplomat said on Wednesday.
Egypt to pass new ‘anti-terrorism’ law: ministers
CAIRO (Reuters) – Senior Egyptian ministers said they would pass legislation on Thursday “connected to confronting terrorism”, in a statement released hours after three explosions killed two people in Cairo.
Syria accuses rebels of planning gas attack near Damascus
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Syria is charging in a letter to the United Nations that opposition groups are planning a toxic gas attack in a rebel-held area near Damascus so they can then blame it on government security forces.
Putin officially divorces his wife Lyudmila: Kremlin
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally divorced his wife Lyudmila after more than 30 years of marriage, Kremlin spokesman said on Wednesday, following a surprise breakup announcement last year.
Libya says could reach deal in 2-3 days to open oil ports
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya could finalize an agreement in two to three days with rebels to reopen key oil ports, a government spokesman said on Wednesday, bolstering hopes for an end to an eight-month standoff that dried up petroleum revenue.
NATO, Russia dispute over Crimea disrupts Afghan cooperation
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO’s decision to suspend cooperation with Russia will affect their cooperation in countering the flow of Afghan opium and keeping Afghan military helicopters flying, a NATO official said on Wednesday.
Zuma, Mugabe stay home as EU and African leaders meet in Brussels
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Presidents and prime ministers from Europe and Africa gathered in Brussels on Wednesday for an EU-Africa summit designed to promote peace and investment on the world’s poorest continent.
