‘No-spy’ pact with Germany unlikely despite Snowden’s revelations
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is working to improve intelligence cooperation with Germany but a sweeping “no-spy” agreement between the two countries is unlikely, a senior Obama administration official said on Tuesday.
Exclusive: Syrian chemical weapons mission funded only until end of month
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The international body tasked with ensuring Syria’s chemical weapons are eliminated has enough money to fund its mission only until the end of this month, and needs more funds soon for the destruction of poison gas stocks next yea…
Toronto Mayor Ford admits he smoked crack; will not resign
TORONTO (Reuters) – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admitted on Tuesday he has smoked crack cocaine, probably “in one of my drunken stupors,” but insisted he’s not an addict and said he would stay in office and run for reelection next year.
Dutch take Russia to maritime court to free Greenpeace activists
HAMBURG (Reuters) – The Netherlands will ask an international court on Wednesday to order Russia to release 30 people detained during a protest against oil drilling in the Arctic.
France won’t delay Mali troop withdrawal despite killings
PARIS/BAMAKO (Reuters) – France will stick to its timetable for withdrawing troops from Mali despite a resurgence in violence and the killing of two French journalists, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Tuesday.
Kerry says Israeli, Palestinian talks face difficulties
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday Israeli- Palestinian peace talks had run into difficulties but thought it still possible some agreement could be reached.
Germany asks British ambassador to explain spying report
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany on Tuesday asked the British ambassador to come to the foreign ministry to discuss a newspaper report that a covert spying station was operating in Berlin with hi-tech equipment mounted on the embassy roof.
U.S., Russia fail to agree on Syria peace talks date
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United States and Russia failed on Tuesday to agree on a date for a Syrian peace conference, remaining divided over what role Iran might play in talks to end the civil war and over who would represent Syria’s opposition.
Israeli PM’s ally Lieberman to hear corruption verdict
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli far-right party leader Avigdor Lieberman, a key ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will hear on Wednesday whether or not he has been found guilty of corruption.
Tajik leader Rakhmon set to extend long rule
DUSHANBE (Reuters) – Tajikistan’s President Imomali Rakhmon is set to win a new seven-year term on Wednesday in a country facing security threats from neighboring Afghanistan and located on a major heroin trafficking route from Kabul to Russia and Euro…
