Ukraine crisis needs 20,000-strong U.N. force: report
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The United Nations should consider a force of some 20,000 soldiers from non-NATO countries and 4,000 police to help resolve the crisis in Ukraine, according to a new report to be presented to top officials this week.
EU urges restraint in latest Syria escalation
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union’s executive on Monday said the warring Syrian parties and their regional allies should show restraint to avoid a further spiral of violence in the region.
Pence raises prospect of talks with North Korea alongside ‘intensified’ pressure
SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Comments by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence suggest the United States may be looking more favorably at diplomatic engagement with North Korea as South Korea considers a rare summit with its neighbor and long-time foe.
Sri Lanka’s ex-leader seeks fresh elections after council vote boost
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa called on Monday for parliament to be dissolved and fresh elections to be held after a party backed by him won local council polls in the strongest rebuff yet to the unity government.
U.S. Secretary of State says Washington backs Egypt in fight against terrorism
CAIRO (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Monday the United States supports Egypt’s fight against Islamic State but reiterated that it advocated free and fair elections in the Arab country.
Tillerson says up to North Korea to decide when ready to engage in talks
CAIRO (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in Cairo on Monday it was up to North Korea to decide when it was ready to engage in sincere talks with the United States.
Kremlin says U.S. diplomatic help on Syria insufficient
MOSCOW (Reuters) – U.S. support for the process of stabilizing Syria has been inadequate, the Kremlin spokesman Dmtiry Peskov said on Monday.
Giving up control of Brussels mosque, Saudi Arabia sends a signal
BRUSSELS/RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia has agreed to give up control of Belgium’s largest mosque in a sign that it is trying to shed its reputation as a global exporter of an ultra-conservative brand of Islam.
Philippines may turn to China, Russia after scrapping Canada helicopter deal
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines may turn to non-Western defense manufacturers, including China and Russia, to acquire 16 helicopters after it had to scrap a $233 million deal with Canada, its defense minister said on Monday.
Russia, Turkey and Iran discuss meeting on Syria in Kazakhstan – TASS
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on Monday that Russia, Turkey and Iran had discussed a possible meeting of their foreign ministers on Syria, which could be held in Kazakhstan’s Astana in March, the TASS news age…
