U.S. is discussing chemical weapons use in Syria with Russia: Pentagon
U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said on Tuesday that the United States had recently discussed the use of chemical weapons in Syria with Russia, after media reports that Syria was moving chemical weapons into a rebel-held area the government seeks t…
Russia’s Putin hints he’ll dilute unpopular pension reform
President Vladimir Putin hinted on Tuesday he was ready to soften an unpopular proposal to reform the pension system which has pushed his approval rating down to its lowest level in more than four years.
Talk of no-deal Brexit is ‘a negotiating position’: Irish minister
Talk of Britain leaving the European Union without an exit deal is more a negotiating position than a reality as such a scenario would benefit neither side, Ireland’s foreign minister told Reuters on Tuesday.
Greek finance, foreign ministers keep job in cabinet reshuffle
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras rejigged his cabinet on Tuesday but kept Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos, who steered the country’s exit from its third bailout, and Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on board.
Russia to hold its biggest war games since fall of Soviet Union
Russia will next month hold its biggest war games since the fall of the Soviet Union, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday, a massive military exercise that will also involve the Chinese and Mongolian armies.
Bombing at Philippine street festival leaves one dead, wounds 34: officials
A homemade bomb hidden under a motorcycle killed at least one person and wounded more than 30 at a local street festival in the southern Philippines on Monday, police and the army said, the latest unrest in a region prone to militancy.
China’s Didi vows to prioritize safety over growth after murder of passenger
China’s dominant ride-hailing firm Didi Chuxing Technology Co Ltd said on Tuesday it would prioritize safety over growth as a measure of success after a 20-year-old passenger was murdered by her Didi driver last week.
Social Democrats promise Swedes extra holiday as election nears
Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats launched their election manifesto on Tuesday promising an extra week of holiday for parents as the party seeks to avoid its worst showing ever in a national vote.
Russia reinforces naval forces in Mediterranean off Syrian coast
Russia has deployed several frigates to the Mediterranean via the Bosphorus, an analysis of shipping traffic showed, part of what a Russian newspaper on Tuesday called Moscow’s largest naval buildup since it entered the Syrian conflict in 2015.
Greece investigates aid workers for suspected migrant smuggling, espionage
Greek authorities have arrested two aid workers and are investigating a total of 30 from the same organization on the island of Lesbos on suspicion they smuggled migrants into Greece, spied and laundered money, police said on Tuesday.
