Russia says rebels may have staged alleged Syrian chemical attack
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s Foreign Ministry called for a thorough investigation on Wednesday into reports that Syrian government forces had launched a chemical attack, suggesting that rebels could have staged the assault to provoke international actio…
Tunisian union head mediates in political standoff
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia’s powerful UGTT trade union federation sought to mediate in the country’s political crisis on Wednesday, consulting the secular opposition on its proposals for new elections before meeting with the ruling Islamists on Thursday…
Britain, France to officially request U.N. probe of Syria attack: diplomat
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Britain and France will send a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon later on Wednesday to officially request a U.N. investigation into an alleged gas attack in Syria, a U.N. diplomat said on condition of anonymity.
British women charged in Peru with drug trafficking
LIMA (Reuters) – Two British women have been charged in Peru with drug trafficking and could face up to 18 years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.
Russia calls for investigation into alleged Syria chemical attack
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s Foreign Ministry called for a fair and professional investigation into reports that troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had carried out a chemical weapon attack near Damascus.
Egypt Salafists warn against trying to wipe out Islamism
CAIRO (Reuters) – While security forces round up the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s second largest religious party has warned the state against trying to wipe out political Islam entirely during its toughest crackdown in decades.
EU governments to review Egypt aid: EU’s Ashton
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union governments agreed on Wednesday to review assistance to Egypt while maintaining support to the most vulnerable people, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said following emergency talks on EU relations with Cair…
Russia criticizes UK on human rights after pressure on Guardian
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia accused Britain on Wednesday of failing to live up to its own declarations on human rights by forcing the Guardian newspaper to destroy materials leaked by fugitive former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden.
Somalia gunmen kill two, wound Swedish woman in likely kidnap attempt
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Gunmen killed two men and wounded two women, including a Swede, in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Wednesday when they ambushed a car in what police believe may have been an attempted kidnap.
Iran’s envoy to U.N. nuclear agency to leave post
VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran’s envoy to the U.N. atomic agency will leave his post next month, in what may be a further sign of new President Hassan Rouhani’s desire for a fresh start with the outside world over its disputed nuclear program.
