Government considers options to help Syrian opposition, Kerry says
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is debating what more it might do to help the Syrian opposition in its civil war against the government, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday without giving any details.
U.S. eases trade restrictions to Syria rebel-held areas
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Wednesday eased restrictions on exports to opposition-held areas in Syria to help rebuild shattered infrastructure in a move U.S. officials said will help facilitate oil sales from rebel-controlled areas.
U.N. says Syrian government and rebels recruit children to fight
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Syrian troops and rebels are recruiting children to fight in the country’s civil war and some have been tortured by government forces for having links to the opposition, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said in a report on Wednesday.
EU justice chief seeks answers on U.S. data spying
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union’s chief justice official has written to the U.S. attorney general demanding an explanation for the collection of foreign nationals’ data through its Prism spy program.
Greeks strike over state TV closure as backlash grows
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek workers will stage a nationwide strike on Thursday, forcing hospitals to work on emergency staff and disrupting transport, in protest against the “sudden death” of state broadcaster ERT, switched off in the middle of the night …
Brazil Finance Ministry to announce new economic measures
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega will announce new economic measures at a news briefing later on Wednesday, the ministry said in a statement.
Erdogan: from ‘rock star’ to mixed reviews from Arabs
CAIRO/ TUNIS (Reuters) – Two years ago, Tayyip Erdogan was mobbed by adoring crowds in Arab capitals and Turkey seemed set to expand its trade and influence across the region on the back of his support for the upstart democrats of the Arab Spring.
Syrian helicopter fires on Lebanese town, two wounded
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Syrian helicopter opened fire on a Lebanese border town in the eastern Bekaa Valley on Wednesday, wounding two people, security sources said.
Iran denies foreign minister called for talks with U.S.
(Reuters) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry has denied a Reuters report that Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader several months ago calling for wide-ranging talks with Washington, the ISNA student news agency reported on We…
Bermuda says won’t agree UK Territories tax deal before G8
LONDON (Reuters) – Bermuda’s premier is not ready to sign an international transparency convention that he said Britain’s prime minister had planned to achieve ahead of the G8 summit in Northern Ireland next week, potentially scuppering a broad deal.
