Impromptu or scripted, Syria plan lets Russia play the peacemaker
MOSCOW (Reuters) – If it really was just an offhand remark by the U.S. secretary of state that gave Russia the chance to play peacemaker in the Syrian conflict, Moscow is certainly not letting on.
Tunisia’s assembly to restart work on constitution
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia’s transitional parliament will resume work on a new constitution after a month-long suspension, its president said on Tuesday, a step that may ease the deadlock between the country’s Islamist-led government and secular opposit…
Insight: Japan ponders Fukushima options, but Tepco too big to fail
TOKYO (Reuters) – Fukushima nuclear plant operator Tepco Electric’s response to the world’s worst atomic disaster in a quarter century has been called ad hoc and more concerned with cost than safety, but 30 months later, the utility is still in charge….
Brazilian president’s popularity rebounding from post-protest slump
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s approval ratings are recovering from a wave of popular discontent and she has broadened her lead over other possible contenders in next year’s election, a poll published on Tuesday showed.
Putin says he, Obama discussed control over Syrian chemical arms
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that he and U.S. President Barack Obama had agreed at talks last week to step up efforts to safeguard Syria’s chemical weapons and discussed placing the arsenal under international control.
Iran’s Rouhani says time for resolving nuclear dispute limited
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that the time for resolving Iran’s nuclear dispute with the West was limited, and urged the world to seize the opportunity of his election.
Eight more countries sign Syria statement; total now 33: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Eight more countries including Kuwait signed on to a statement condemning Syria for a chemical weapons attack on August 21 and calling for a strong international response, bringing the total to 33, the White House said on Tuesday…
Nordic anger over immigration fuels populist vote
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – From spats over halal meat in Danish schools to asylum seekers in Sweden, anger about immigration has fuelled the march of populist parties across Nordic countries, leading one such group to the brink of government in prosperous N…
Pope says empty convents and monasteries should house refugees
ROME (Reuters) – Disused church buildings should be used to house refugees, who must be embraced rather than feared, Pope Francis told asylum seekers in Rome on Tuesday, underlining his papacy’s emphasis on the poor and the plight of immigrants.
Syrian foreign minister says ready to join chemical arms treaty
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said on Tuesday that Damascus was committed to a Russian initiative under which Syria would hand over its chemical weapons and join a convention that prohibits their use.
