Political sparks fly after Venezuela blackout
CARACAS (Reuters) – One of the worst power outages in Venezuelan history has given a jolt to President Nicolas Maduro’s government and revived opposition accusations that its socialist policies and incompetence are wrecking the country.
Serbian finance minister says has backing for “serious” reform
BELGRADE (Reuters) – Serbia’s new finance minister outlined on Thursday a plan to overhaul the tax system and bloated public sector and cut red tape, saying he is convinced he has the support of the fractious coalition government.
Italy finances slipping as political crisis brews
ROME (Reuters) – Italy, which three months ago got off the European Union’s blacklist of countries with excessive fiscal deficits, may be put straight back on it next year unless it can reverse a worrying trend in its public finances.
South Sudan makes $1 billion in oil sales, passes on a quarter to Sudan
JUBA (Reuters) – South Sudan made almost $1 billion from oil sales since resuming production in April, of which it had to pass on a quarter to arch foe Sudan for exporting crude through its territory, the oil ministry said on Thursday.
No evidence of technical failure in North Sea helicopter crash: AAIB
LONDON (Reuters) – A British air safety investigation team said on Thursday that it had found no evidence of technical failure in a helicopter that crashed in the North Sea near Scotland’s Shetland Islands.
Russian lawmaker wants to take children away from gay parents
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A member of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ruling party tabled a draft law on Thursday to take children away from homosexual parents, adding to a raft of measures that rights activists say are undermining gay rights.
Analysis: African U.N. troops raise stakes for Rwanda in Congo crisis
KIGALI (Reuters) – The deployment of a U.N. force of African troops in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo threatens to draw Rwanda into a damaging conflict with African powers and derail its economic “miracle” if donors again cut aid over Kigali’s in…
Brazil cancels advance team trip for state visit to U.S
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil has canceled a trip by an advance team to Washington to prepare for a visit by President Dilma Rousseff that might be called off after revelations the United States spied on her private communications.
Exclusive: Defecting Assad ally reaches Istanbul: sources
DOHA/AMMAN (Reuters) – Bashar al-Assad’s former defense minister has reached Istanbul after a defection that betrays cracks in the president’s support among his own Alawite sect, opposition and diplomatic sources said on Thursday.
EU urges diplomacy on Syria, condemns ‘abhorrent’ chemical attack
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) – Europe’s top officials stopped short on Thursday of endorsing a U.S.-led push for a military strike against Syria in response to last month’s chemical weapons attack, and warned there could be no military solution to …
