Bloomberg to plug mayors’ climate progress to motivate world leaders
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg aims to use his new role as U.N. envoy on cities and climate change to help “frustrated” U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon motivate world leaders to cut greenhouse gas emissions by showing them pr…
U.S. discusses Afghan troop levels; Kabul holds talks with Taliban
WASHINGTON/KABUL (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama met his senior military commanders to discuss the American presence in Afghanistan as officials in Kabul confirmed President Hamid Karzai’s government has been holding secret talks with Taliban i…
U.S. sharply curtails drone strikes in Pakistan: report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States has cut back sharply on drone strikes in Pakistan after the Islamabad government asked for restraint while it seeks peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.
Colombia probes reported military spying on peace negotiators
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the apparent spying by rogue elements in the military on his negotiating team at peace talks with Marxist FARC rebels and suggested that “dark forces” we…
Russia says Syria to ship chemical arms as civilians flee bombs
MOSCOW/BEIRUT (Reuters) – Russia said its ally Syria would soon ship more chemical weapons abroad for destruction after being accused of dragging its feet, while activists said civilians in Aleppo were fleeing deadly barrel bomb raids by President Bash…
International court to decide future of Kenyan president trial
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The fate of the politically fraught trial of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta could be decided on Wednesday, when prosecutors at the International Criminal Court plead for more time.
Senior Hungarian Socialist suspended over undeclared funds
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – A senior Hungarian Socialist opposition politician was forced to suspend all his positions and membership in the party on Tuesday after a media report said he held funds in a foreign bank account that he failed to declare.
Scotland becomes seventeenth country to approve same-sex marriages
LONDON (Reuters) – Scotland voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to allow same-sex marriages, becoming the 17th country to give the green light to gay marriage despite opposition from its main church organizations.
Russia says Syria to ship chemical arms as civilians flee bombs
MOSCOW/BEIRUT (Reuters) – Russia said its ally Syria would soon ship more chemical weapons abroad for destruction after being accused of dragging its feet, while activists said civilians in Aleppo were fleeing deadly barrel bomb raids by President Bash…
Italy PM Letta wins confidence vote on prison overcrowding bill
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta won a confidence vote on Tuesday which he had called to hurry a law through parliament aimed at reducing prison overcrowding.
