Carnival holiday may take heat out of Venezuela crisis
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelans began a week-long national holiday on Thursday as some protests still simmered, but President Nicolas Maduro’s government was hoping the break would take the heat out of the nation’s worst unrest in a decade.
Brazil’s top court overturns some convictions in political corruption case
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s Supreme Court overturned racketeering convictions against former leaders of the ruling Workers Party on Thursday, reducing their prison sentences in the country’s biggest political corruption case.
Syria says two attempted attacks on chemical weapons convoys: U.N.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – There were two attempted attacks on Syrian convoys transporting chemical weapons late last month, Syrian authorities told the international mission overseeing the removal and destruction of its toxic arsenal, according to a U…
Mexican president ‘indignant’ at U.S. deportations
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said he is “indignant” at the United States’ deportation of Mexican migrants and described U.S. lawmakers as demonstrating a “lack of conscience” in failing to pass immigration reform.
Russian spy ship makes surprise visit to Havana
HAVANA (Reuters) – A Russian spy ship slipped into Havana Bay for an unannounced visit during a period of turmoil in Ukraine and displays of military strength elsewhere in the world.
Dissident warns China sending spies to U.S. in scholarly guise
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A prominent Chinese dissident who moved to the United States after being fired by Peking University last year warned on Thursday of the dangers of academic exchanges with China, saying Beijing sent spies as visiting scholars.
World Bank postpones Uganda loan over anti-gay law
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The World Bank on Thursday postponed a $90 million loan to Uganda’s health system over a law that toughened punishment for gays, an unusual move for an institution that typically avoids wading into politics.
Syria says two attempted attacks on chemical weapons convoys: U.N.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – There were two attempted attacks on Syrian convoys transporting chemical weapons late last month, Syrian authorities told the international mission overseeing the removal and destruction of its toxic arsenal, according to a U…
Armed standoff in pro-Russian region raises Ukraine tension
SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine (Reuters) – The United States told Russia to demonstrate in coming days that it was sincere about its promise not to intervene in Ukraine, after armed men seized the regional parliament in a mainly ethnic Russian region and raised t…
Colombia ELN rebels admit attack on leftist candidate, apologize
BOGOTA (Reuters) – The National Liberation Army, Colombia’s second-biggest guerrilla group, admitted on Thursday it was behind an attack last weekend on a leftist presidential candidate but said it was returning fire after being shot at first.
