Reuters World News Summary
Following is a summary of current world news briefs.
U.S. offers $10 million reward for information to disrupt Hezbollah finances
The United States on Monday offered a reward of up to $10 million for information that could help disrupt financing of Hezbollah, the armed Shi'ite group backed by Iran. The announcement by the U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice Program comes amid growing concerns by Washington about Hezbollah's growing role in the Lebanese government.
Sri Lanka imposes emergency, says international network involved in attacks
Sri Lanka said on Monday it was invoking emergency powers in the aftermath of devastating bomb attacks on hotels and churches, blamed on militants with foreign links, which killed 290 people and wounded nearly 500. The emergency law, which gives police and the military extensive powers to detain and interrogate suspects without court orders, would go into effect at midnight local time, the president's office said.
U.S. to end all waivers on imports of Iranian oil, crude price jumps
The United States on Monday demanded that buyers of Iranian oil stop purchases by May 1 or face sanctions, a move to choke off Tehran's oil revenues which sent crude prices to six-month highs on fears of a potential supply crunch. The Trump administration on Monday said it will not renew exemptions granted last year to buyers of Iranian oil, a more stringent than expected decision that caught several key importers who have been pleading with Washington to continue buying Iranian oil sanctions-free.
Yemen's Houthis say Saudi, UAE in missile range if Hodeidah truce cracks
Yemen's Houthi forces have missiles that could be fired at Riyadh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi should violence escalate in the main Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, where a fragile ceasefire is now in place, the leader of the Houthi movement said on Monday. Yemen's four-year war pits the Iran-aligned Houthis against the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition of Yemeni and Arab forces, which include the United Arab Emirates.
North Korea confirms leader Kim Jong Un to visit Russia for summit with Putin: KCNA
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit Russia for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean state media confirmed. State media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the visit will happen "soon," but did not elaborate the time or the venue.
Eastern Libyan forces plan to intensify Tripoli offensive
Eastern Libyan forces said on Monday they would intensify an assault on Tripoli, the capital in the west of the country that is held by the internationally recognized government, as the death toll in a battle now in its third week rose to 254. The Libyan National Army (LNA) force loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar allied to a parallel government in the east has launched an offensive but has been unable to breach the southern defenses of the city.
Ukraine enters uncharted waters after comedian wins presidency
Ukraine entered uncharted political waters on Monday after near final results showed a comedian with no political experience and few detailed policies had dramatically upended the status quo and won the country's presidential election by a landslide. Volodymyr Zelenskiy's win was a bitter blow for incumbent Petro Poroshenko and presents a riddle for investors, the West and Russia who wonder what approach he will take on everything from relations with Moscow to the domestic banking sector.
Opponents of Egypt's constitutional reforms call for 'no' vote
Opponents of constitutional amendments that could see Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stay in power until 2030 urged people to vote "no" on Monday, the third and final day of a referendum on the proposal. The amendments would also bolster the role of the military and expand the president's power over judicial appointments. The constitutional changes were approved by parliament last week.
U.S. President Trump to visit UK in June: Sky News
U.S. President Donald Trump will make a state visit to the United Kingdom in June and will visit Buckingham Palace, Sky News said in a tweet on Monday.
Spanish general election candidates clash over Catalonia
The main candidates in Spain's general election on Monday clashed over how to handle Catalonia's independence drive, accusing each other of lying in a tense television debate that left questions open on what coalition deals could be struck. Spain's parliamentary election on April 28, one of the country's most divisive since its return to democracy in the late 1970s, is being fought more on emotional and identity issues, such as Catalonia's botched independence bid than on the economy.
