Saudi rejects U.N. Security Council seat, opening way for Jordan
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia officially notified the United Nations on Tuesday of its decision to reject a seat on the U.N. Security Council, which U.N. diplomats said clears the way for the likely election of Jordan as a replacement.
Iranian foreign minister blames West for snag in nuclear talks
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif rejected U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s pinning of blame on Iran for the lack of a deal on its nuclear program last week, saying splits between Western countries prevented a breakthr…
Philippine president puts typhoon death toll at 2,000 to 2,500
TACLOBAN, Philippines (Reuters) – The death toll from Typhoon Haiyan’s rampage through the Philippines is closer to 2,000 or 2,500 than the 10,000 previously estimated, President Benigno Aquino said on Tuesday as U.S. and British warships headed toward…
China, Cuba, Russia, Saudi elected to top U.N. rights body
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – China, Cuba, Russia and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday won three-year seats on the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, the United Nations’ top rights body, despite concerns about abuses and restrictions on freedoms in all four nation…
Explosive device kills two at Johannesburg gold shop: police
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – An explosive device killed two people and wounded three others at a gold and diamond exchange in a Johannesburg suburb on Tuesday, police said.
Somalia PM reveals row with president, asks parliament to intervene
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somalia’s prime minister said on Tuesday he was in a “constitutional” dispute with the president and was ready for parliament to intervene to settle it.
Venezuela bonds sink after Maduro moves against retailers
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan bonds dropped sharply on Tuesday after President Nicolas Maduro ordered a military takeover of an electronics chain and authorities arrested dozens of people for purported price gouging.
Albanians angry with U.S. over Syrian chemical weapons
TIRANA (Reuters) – The prospect of Syria’s chemical weapons being dismantled in Albania caused protests in the capital Tirana on Tuesday, exposing a rare dent in the NATO member’s loyalty to the United States.
German parties urge referendums on major EU decisions
BERLIN (Reuters) – German parties negotiating a coalition deal have recommended holding nationwide referendums for major decisions on Europe in what would be a dramatic shift in policy, but Chancellor Angela Merkel looks likely to quash the proposal.
Colombian president ratings move up again, would win election
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos’ popularity rose for a second straight month in November and a poll published on Tuesday showed he would be re-elected next year in a second-round vote.
