France’s Hollande names European expert his chief of staff
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande appointed a close friend and former European affairs minister to the strategic post of his chief of staff on Wednesday and reshuffled his private office to tighten the country’s relations with Brusse…
Cuba says U.S. hunger striker has ‘dignified’ treatment in prison
HAVANA (Reuters) – A U.S. contractor who has launched a hunger strike while serving a long prison term in Cuba is receiving “dignified and decent treatment” in a hospital ward, where he is in normal and stable health, Cuba said on Wednesday.
British PM Cameron’s authority dented as minister resigns
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron suffered a blow to his authority on Wednesday when a scandal-hit minister he had been doggedly defending resigned, exposing him to charges of weak leadership and poor judgment.
G7 ministers to meet Thursday on economy, Ukraine
(Reuters) – Finance ministers from the Group of Seven industrialized nations will meet on Thursday in Washington to discuss the global economy and the situation in Ukraine, sources said.
Afghan commander: cross-border Taliban alliance growing stronger
CAMP THUNDER, Afghanistan (Reuters) – Taliban militants in Pakistan have established an increasingly close relationship with insurgents from across the border in Afghanistan, supplying them with explosives and well-trained fighters, a senior Afghan arm…
Japan, U.S. make progress in trade talks; key gaps remain
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese and U.S. trade officials made progress on Wednesday in negotiations meant to spur a broad Pacific trade pact and prepare for a visit by President Barack Obama, but they remain apart on some major issues, both sides said.
Indonesia election count suggests tougher ride for presidential hopeful Jokowi
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia’s likely next leader may have a bumpier-than-expected route to the presidential palace after early counting in Wednesday’s parliamentary vote suggested his party will have to cut a deal with other parties to get him there …
Brazil’s largest city may ration water this year, utility says
SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Sao Paulo may have to ration water this year if reservoir levels are not replenished, Brazil’s largest water and sewage utility said, an increasing possibility as the southeast region heads into its dry season.
Troubled Mideast peace effort compounds U.S. policy woes in region
WASHINGTON/DUBAI (Reuters) – Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in September, U.S. President Barack Obama declared the pursuit of Israeli-Palestinian peace one of the two main U.S. foreign policy priorities for his second term.
Greeks strike against austerity before Merkel visit
ATHENS (Reuters) – Thousands of striking Greeks marched to parliament on Wednesday to protest against job cuts and austerity measures imposed by the country’s foreign creditors, including Germany, whose leader will visit Athens this week.
