U.S. updates Myanmar sanctions to maintain gem import ban
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States updated sanctions on Myanmar on Wednesday to maintain a ban on importing rubies and jade amid a relaxation of curbs on U.S. trade with the Southeast Asian nation, American officials said.
U.S. adds $195 million in food aid to Syria
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is providing $195 million more in food and humanitarian aid to Syria to mark the end of Ramadan for Muslims, President Barack Obama said on Wednesday.
Czech PM says will resign after losing confidence vote
PRAGUE (Reuters) – Czech Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok said he and his government would resign as required by the constitution after failing to win a vote of confidence in parliament on Wednesday.
Czech party calls parliament session to vote on early election
PRAGUE (Reuters) – Czech conservative party TOP09 asked on Wednesday for a special parliamentary session to discuss holding an early election, raising the chances of fresh polls late this year before a regular vote due next May.
Yemen turmoil could stall Obama’s effort to close Guantanamo
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Turmoil in Yemen and the warnings of attacks that prompted the United States to shut diplomatic missions across the Middle East could hinder President Barack Obama’s plans to close Guantanamo Bay prison.
Yemeni former bin Laden aide pledged to fight for generations
LONDON (Reuters) – Nasser al-Wuhayshi, the head of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) whose alleged communications with al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri sparked a worldwide terrorism alert, is a veteran of global jihad who has promised the West …
Mexico president weighs energy reform, delays unveiling
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s government has pushed back to next week the unveiling of a proposed energy sector overhaul, as President Enrique Pena Nieto on Wednesday weighed the political cost of a divisive bill to revamp an ailing oil industry.
U.S. says still time for dialogue in Egypt, urges compromise
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Ending Egypt’s political crisis will require compromise and there is still time for dialogue, the State Department said on Wednesday, as international envoys returned home and Egypt’s interim government said the talks had failed….
Mali election frontrunner’s nationalist stance strikes popular chord
BAMAKO (Reuters) – A glance at billboards on the scruffy streets of Mali’s capital Bamako says much about the difference between the rivals for the presidency in Sunday’s runoff vote, and the prospects for peace in the West African country.
Mali court confirms ex-PM Keita’s election lead, runoff needed
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Mali’s top court on Wednesday confirmed that former prime minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita won a July 28 presidential vote but fell short of an outright majority, meaning he will face ex-finance minister Soumaila Cisse in a runoff on …
