Kerry visits Western-leaning Moldova to show support
CHISINAU (Reuters) – John Kerry became the first U.S. secretary of state to visit Moldova in more than two decades on Wednesday, part of a show of support for pro-Western moves by the former Soviet republic in the face of Russian pressure.
Rocket fire kills 17 in Syrian city of Aleppo
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Rockets fired into a government-controlled district of Aleppo killed at least 17 people in the northern Syrian city on Wednesday, state media and a monitoring group said.
Mexico lawmakers poised to debate energy reform: top senator
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican lawmakers are poised to send a landmark energy bill to Senate committees to start debate on a cornerstone of President Enrique Pena Nieto’s economic reform drive, a top ruling party lawmaker said on Wednesday.
Putin could free Khodorkovsky, punk band in amnesty: rights adviser
NOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia (Reuters) – Former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and two jailed members of punk protest band Pussy Riot could walk free under an amnesty President Vladimir Putin is expected to approve by the end of the year, a Kremlin human rig…
Afghan ministers will not sign US pact unless demands met: Karzai
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan President Hamid Karzai will not allow any of his ministers to sign a security pact with the United States unless key demands are met, the president’s spokesman said on Wednesday.
British plans to combat militancy meet skepticism
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain announced new proposals to tackle political militancy on Wednesday following the murder of a British soldier in London this year, but some experts said measures to tackle radical Islamism were vague and could be counter-produ…
Mali, Tuaregs fault France on failing peace talks
PARIS (Reuters) – Mali’s government and Tuareg separatists both accused France on Wednesday of not doing enough to resolve the political crisis, underscoring the difficulties Paris has in disengaging itself from its former colony.
Thai government says protest leader must surrender, no talks
BANGKOK (Reuters) – The Thai government said on Wednesday the leader of violent protests aimed at ousting the prime minister should surrender and face charges against him, including insurrection, ruling out further talks until he did so.
Palestinian peace envoy urges Kerry to “save talks” with Israel
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – The top Palestinian peace negotiator urged U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday to salvage American-brokered Israeli-Palestinian peace talks that both sides say are faltering.
Libyan assembly votes to follow Islamic law
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya’s national assembly voted on Wednesday to make sharia, Islamic law, the basis of all legislation and for state institutions in a decision that may impact banking, criminal and financial laws.
