LONDON (AP) — The Latest on the British referendum on EU membership (all times local): 4:35 p.m. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel says that whatever the outcome of the British referendum, he will seek a special meeting of European Union leaders to assess what has sent the bloc off the rails. Michel says he wants … Continue reading
Author Archives: tnbutlerblog
General says number of US troops in Libya sufficient for now
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Marine Corps general nominated to lead U.S. forces in Africa said Tuesday, June 21, the United States has a small number of troops on the ground in Libya and no more are needed “at the moment.” In testimony Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser … Continue reading
Protest in Turkey after arrest of journalists, academic
ISTANBUL (AP) — Dozens of Turkish demonstrators gathered in Istanbul on Tuesday, June 21, to protest the arrests of two journalists and an academic on charges of disseminating “terrorist propaganda.” A fourth journalist was released after a brief detention. Protesters chanted “a free press cannot be silenced” and “arrests, oppression cannot intimidate us.” Others held … Continue reading
France looks to fan nuke deal momentum with Iran’s minister
PARIS (A P) — Iran’s foreign minister, making the rounds of European capitals to seek benefits from a nuclear accord, is holding a string of meetings in Paris which he hopes can maintain the momentum toward change. Mohammad Javad Zarif meets Wednesday, June 22, with President Francois Hollande and is paying visits to France’s foreign … Continue reading
Actress Helen Mirren rejects efforts to boycott Israel
JERUSALEM (AP) — Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren said Wednesday, June 22, she was a “believer” in Israel and rejected efforts to boycott it. Mirren showered Israeli artists with praise and said she opposed both the efforts by pro-Palestinian groups to boycott them and the decision of some international artists to shun Israel. “I think that … Continue reading
Gaza slum growth illustrates economic plight, bleak future
EL-ZOHOR, Gaza Strip (AP) — The expansion of Gaza’s el-Zohor slum, where barefoot children play in the rusty skeletons of discarded vehicles surrounded by mountains of garbage, is a sign of the times in Gaza, where poverty is growing and there is little hope for the future. While Gaza has always been poor, conditions for … Continue reading
Renzi praises Russian role in Libya
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — The Latest from the Russian Economic Forum in St. Petersburg (all times local): 8:45 p.m. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has praised Russia for helping to resolve conflict in Libya. Speaking Friday, June 17, after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Renzi expressed … Continue reading
UK probes neo-Nazi ties, mental health in Jo Cox slaying
BIRSTALL, England (AP) — Evidence emerged Friday, June 17, that the reclusive gardener suspected of slaying a popular Labour Party lawmaker had decades-old ties to a neo-Nazi movement and an interest in anarchist weapons literature. As detectives questioned the 52-year-old suspect for a second day, authorities confirmed they were focused on his alleged links to … Continue reading
Russia’s defense minister visits Syria, meets Assad
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s defense minister visited Syria on Saturday, June 18, to meet the country’s leader and inspect the Russian air base there, a high-profile trip intended to underline Moscow’s role in the region. Sergei Shoigu met with President Bashar Assad in Damascus for talks that focused on cooperation between the two militaries and … Continue reading
Referendum gamble will define legacy of UK’s David Cameron
LONDON (AP) — It’s often said that David Cameron is a lucky politician who has seemed to coast through politics on instinct and charm during a career that has culminated in six years as British prime minister. But now his luck may be running out. In calling a referendum on Britain’s membership in the European … Continue reading
UK referendum campaign resumes in earnest with vote near
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s long and difficult referendum campaign has resumed in earnest after a three-day halt caused by the killing of Labour Party lawmaker Jo Cox in a brazen knife and gun attack. The death has cast a pall over the referendum set for Thursday, and its impact on the eventual results — if … Continue reading
Syrian forces advance on IS-held air base
BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian government forces advanced to within six miles (10 kilometers) of the Islamic State-occupied Tabqa air base in the northern part of the country on Sunday, June 10, part of a push to try to unseat the extremist group from its de facto capital, Raqqa. Government forces recaptured the nearby Thawra oil … Continue reading
Lawyer says Qatar detained Dutch woman who reported rape
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A Dutch woman who told Qatari police she had been drugged and raped in March has been in government detention ever since on unclear charges, a lawyer said Saturday, June 11. The Dutch Embassy in Qatar confirmed the woman remained held ahead of a scheduled hearing Monday in Doha, … Continue reading
Archaeologist points to hidden monument in Jordan’s Petra
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Satellite and drone images have led to a new discovery in the ancient city of Petra — a massive man-made stone platform hidden under sand. The platform might have been used for ceremonial purposes because it was fronted on one side by columns and a monumental staircase, said Christopher A. Tuttle, … Continue reading
Twin blasts near Damascus kill 12, wound dozens
BEIRUT (AP) — Two suicide bombers struck close to the Syrian capital Saturday, June 11, killing at least 12 people and wounding dozens more in the latest attack to hit the predominantly Shiite area in recent months, state TV and an opposition activist group said. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the bombings through … Continue reading