Q+A: Big powers devise plan to rid Syria of chemical weapons
UNITED NATIONS/AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Last week Russia and the United States put aside bitter differences over Syria to strike a deal to remove President Bashar al-Assad’s chemical arsenal and avert U.S. military action against him.
France’s Hollande says to meet Iranian president next week
BAMAKO (Reuters) – France’s president, Francois Hollande, said on Thursday he would meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly next week, the first meeting between presidents of the two countries since 2005.
Syrian minister sees stalemate between rebel, government forces
LONDON (Reuters) – A Syrian Deputy Prime Minister said neither government forces nor rebels were currently capable of outright military victory in the country’s civil war, according to the British Guardian newspaper.
Nigeria’s stolen oil is sold and laundered abroad: report
ABUJA (Reuters) – Stolen Nigerian oil worth billions of dollars is sold every year on international markets and much of the proceeds are laundered in world financial centers like Britain and the United States, a report said on Thursday.
Challenger mocks ’roundabout’ Merkel in last push for votes
BERLIN (Reuters) – Angela Merkel’s center-left challenger in Sunday’s election mocked the chancellor on Thursday as a timid driver steering Germany round in circles and urged his supporters to disregard polls predicting her victory.
Tunisia’s ruling Islamists agree to transition negotiations
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia’s governing Islamists on Thursday agreed in principle to a trade union proposal that it step down to make way for a transitional government and new elections.
France’s Hollande says to meet Iranian president next week
BAMAKO (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande said on Thursday he had accepted an invitation to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly next week.
Russia’s Putin says could seek re-election in 2018
VALDAI, Russia (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he may seek re-election in 2018 and charted a conservative course drawn from Orthodox Christian values, saying the West was not an example for Russia.
Kerry says U.N. Security Council must act on Syria
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday it was essential that a Russia-U.S. deal on eradicating Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal be enforced and that the U.N. Security Council must act on it next week.
Merkel coalition hold narrow lead over combined opposition: poll
BERLIN (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel’s center-right coalition held a narrow lead over the combined left-leaning opposition parties, an opinion poll showed on Thursday, three days before a national election.
