Parties

Nearly 200 nations agree binding deal to cut greenhouse gases | Reuters

By Clement Uwiringiyimana | KIGALI KIGALI Nearly 200 nations hammered out a legally binding deal to cut back on greenhouse gases used in refrigerators and air conditioners, a Rwandan minister announced to loud cheers on Saturday, in a major step against climate change.The deal, which includes the world's two biggest economies, the United States and China, divides countries into three groups with different deadlines to reduce the use of factory-made hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gases, which can be 10,000 times more powerful than carbon dioxide as greenhouse gases. "It’s a monumental step forward," U.S.

Russia backs 48-hour Aleppo truce, U.N. wants other sides to commit | Reuters

Outlook for Syria peace talks still 'cloudy' - U.N. | Reuters

GENEVA The United Nations Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura is very keen to hold a new round of peace talks after big powers agreed on a "cessation of hostilities", a U.N.

Malaysia's 1MDB shortlists four parties for its power unit | Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR Malaysian state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd [TERRN.UL] said it has shortlisted four parties for the final bidding stage in the sale of its power unit, Edra Global Energy Bhd. It did not identify the bidders

India takes 'significant step' in HFC decision: U.S. envoy | Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - India's surprise decision to agree to phase-down the use of a potent greenhouse gas after years of opposition is a "significant step" toward global action to address climate change, the U.S. State Department's climate change envoy said Friday. India on Thursday proposed an amendment to the United Nations' Montreal Protocol, which calls on countries to phase out their use of HFCs, gases used in refrigerators, air conditioners and insulating foams that are a highly potent form of greenhouse gas emissions.

Tobacco companies to settle smoking lawsuits for $100 million

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Three major U.S. tobacco companies - R.J

Strauss-Kahn denies knowing sex party women were prostitutes

LILLE, France (Reuters) - Dominique Strauss-Kahn told a French court on Tuesday he did not know the women at "festive and playful" sex parties he attended were prostitutes, saying that would have been too risky given his then-role as head of the IMF. Strauss-Kahn, 65, is accused of instigating about a dozen parties he knew involved prostitutes from 2008 to 2011 in the northern French city of Lille, Paris, Washington and Brussels. Speaking in a calm, confident voice and wearing a sober black suit, he acknowledged his fondness for "libertine" parties with a small group of friends who at times invited him to join "a lunch or something more festive and playful" in Paris

Burkina Faso leader says to hand power to transitional body

OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - Burkina Faso's army will quickly cede power to a transitional government and appoint a new head of state, the country's interim President Isaac Zida said on Monday, looking to calm accusations that the military had seized power in a coup. Longtime president Blaise Compaore stepped down on Friday following two days of mass protests in the impoverished West African nation over his bid to extend his 27-year rule by amending the constitution

U.N. Security Council concerned by resumption of Gaza violence

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N.

Kerry sees 'opportunity' in Gaza ceasefire, urges search for common ground

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday called the 72-hour ceasefire agreed to by Israel and Hamas in their conflict in the Gaza Strip a "lull of opportunity" and said it was imperative that the sides make their best efforts to find common ground. Kerry said Egypt's foreign minister will invite the ceasefire parties to take part in "serious" negotiations in Cairo and that the United States plans to send a small delegation.