Russia’s Putin puts U.S. ties above Snowden
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin signaled clearly on Wednesday that he did not want a dispute over the fate of former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden to derail Russia’s relations with the United States.
Stray bullets from Syria kill two in Turkish border town
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – A man and a 15-year-old boy were killed by stray bullets shot from Syria into a Turkish border town, officials said on Wednesday. Turkish troops returned fire, in the most serious spillover of violence in weeks.
Nigeria restores phone service to violence-hit state
DAMATURU, Nigeria (Reuters) – Mobile phone services returned in Nigeria’s northeastern Yobe state on Wednesday, residents said, ending two months of signal blackout after a state of emergency was declared in areas struck by Islamist insurgents.
Protests mount ahead of Greek parliament vote on layoffs
ATHENS (Reuters) – Thousands of Greek workers chanting anti-austerity slogans flocked outside parliament on Wednesday, hours before lawmakers inside vote on a divisive reform bill that would cut thousands of public sector jobs.
Brazil’s Rousseff rules out ‘fiscal populism’ as demands rise
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff vowed on Wednesday that her government will not spend beyond its means, rejecting the temptation of increasing outlays to improve public services in the wake of an outburst of national discontent …
Pakistan Taliban fighter asks Malala to come home
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) – A Taliban commander has written to Pakistani girl activist Malala Yousafzai, saying he regretted her shooting last year by militants and urging her to come home.
EU’s Ashton floats plan to break Hezbollah deadlock
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union could blacklist Hezbollah’s military wing while stressing it is open to talking to the militant Lebanese movement’s political faction, under a proposal by the EU’s foreign policy chief, EU diplomats said on Wedne…
Mali peace broker pulls out of presidential election race
BAMAKO (Reuters) – The architect of a peace deal between Mali’s government and northern separatist rebels pulled out of this month’s presidential election on Wednesday after failing to have the July 28 vote postponed.
Queen Elizabeth hopes baby comes soon as she’s off on holiday
LONDON (Reuters) – Queen Elizabeth joined the band of increasingly impatient royal baby watchers hoping Prince William and his wife Kate’s first child arrives soon, saying she is due to go on holiday.
Fighting in South Sudan cuts off 100,000 people from aid
JUBA (Reuters) – Fighting between government forces, rebels and rival tribes has cut off 100,000 people from urgently needed food and medical aid in South Sudan’s east, U.N. and aid officials said on Wednesday.
