EU executive urges support for U.N. migration pact as resistance grows
A top European Union official urged member states on Tuesday to back the United Nation’s migration pact amid a growing tide of dropouts that highlight how Europe has turned colder on accepting foreigners.
If Iran can’t export oil from Gulf, no other country can, Iran’s president says
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made an apparent threat on Tuesday to disrupt other countries’ oil shipments through the Gulf if Washington presses ahead with efforts to halt Iranian oil exports.
Syria’s last shadow puppeteer hopes to save his art
The last shadow puppeteer in Damascus lost most of his equipment to war and endured life as a refugee in Lebanon, but he now believes the old Syrian art form might survive after the United Nations said it needed to be saved.
Sweden’s Centre Party gives Lofven last chance before PM vote
Sweden’s Centre Party said on Tuesday it would give Prime Minister Stefan Lofven’s Social Democrats a “final chance” to meet demands for reforms, before deciding whether to oppose him in a vote next week that could doom his bid for a second term.
Yemen’s Houthis head to Sweden peace talks as U.N. warns of economic breakdown
A Houthi delegation left for Sweden on Tuesday for U.N.-sponsored Yemen peace talks, the first since 2016, as Western nations press for an end to the war and the United Nations warned of a looming economic disaster.
U.S. sees Macedonia in NATO in mid-2020 after name change deal
The United States expects Macedonia to join NATO in mid-2020 by which time its name change deal with Greece should be fully implemented despite Russian efforts to undermine it, the top U.S. official for the Western Balkans said on Tuesday.
Raucous Iraqi MPs disrupt session to vote on government
Angry Iraqi lawmakers disrupted a parliamentary session meant to include a vote on the remainder of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s cabinet on Tuesday, banging tables and shouting “illegitimate” in opposition to his proposed candidates.
Ukraine resumes grain shipments from Azov Sea
Ukraine said on Tuesday it had resumed grain shipments from the Azov Sea, blocked for around 10 days after a military standoff with Russia in the Kerch Strait off Crimea.
Brazil’s top court approves investigation into Bolsonaro chief of staff
Brazil’s Supreme Court said on Tuesday it had authorized a federal investigation into allegations that the incoming chief of staff for far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro had taken illegal campaign donations.
UK PM May faces early test ahead of Brexit debate with move to widen parliament’s powers
British Prime Minister Theresa May’s attempts to get her Brexit deal approved by parliament must clear an early hurdle on Tuesday, when lawmakers try to force the government to hand over more power to parliament if the current deal is voted down.
