Syrian defector has proof of March chemical attack: opposition
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A forensic expert with evidence President Bashar al-Assad’s government used chemical weapons near Aleppo in March has defected to Turkey, the Syrian opposition said on Tuesday, but the medic failed to appear at a planned news confe…
U.N.’s Ban casts doubt on legality of U.S. plans to punish Syria
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday that the use of force is only legal when it is in self-defense or with Security Council authorization, remarks that appear to question the legality of U.S. plans to strike Sy…
Venezuela hit by blackout, government blames ‘sabotage’
CARACAS (Reuters) – A blackout hit much of Venezuela including the capital Caracas on Tuesday, but the oil industry was not affected and the government said it expected power to be restored within hours.
Magnitude 6.2 quake hits off western Canada: USGS
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A magnitude 6.2 quake struck off Canada’s Vancouver Island on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Strike starts in South Africa’s gold mines
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – A strike in South Africa’s gold mines began on Tuesday with some workers failing to go underground for the evening shift, despite an appeal by President Jacob Zuma for a solution to avert a stoppage that will hurt Africa’s larg…
U.S. caution on Syria raises regional questions
(Reuters) – The United States’ caution over launching any strike against the Syrian government over alleged use of chemical weapons has raised questions around the globe about the implications of a less interventionist U.S. foreign policy.
Colombia’s FARC talks at ‘critical’ stage, government negotiator says
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s peace talks with Marxist FARC rebels have reached a “critical” stage, with discussions over the next couple of months a key gauge of whether an end to five decades of war is likely or not, government negotiator Sergio Jara…
Russia warns Moldova over its pro-Europe push
CHISINAU (Reuters) – A Russian envoy has warned Moldova that its pro-Europe drive could cause it to lose for good its control over the breakaway territory of Transdniestria and lead to a more costly energy relationship with Russia, its main supplier of…
Six killed as smuggled ammunition explodes on Turkey-Syria border
ANKARA (Reuters) – A consignment of live ammunition exploded as it was being smuggled into Turkey, killing six people on the border with Syria on Tuesday, the provincial governor’s office said.
Armenia says will join Russia-led customs union
NOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia (Reuters) – Armenia will join a customs union led by its former Soviet master Russia, President Serzh Sarksyan said on Tuesday after talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
