Trump rejects idea of talks with Taliban after Afghan blasts
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday ruled out the idea of negotiations with the Taliban, condemning the militant group for a series of recent deadly blasts and pledging to “finish what we have to finish.”
Old enmity tips Lebanon into new crisis
BEIRUT (Reuters) – An old enmity between the Lebanese president and parliament speaker is fuelling a political row that threatens to paralyze government and inflame sectarian tension in the run-up to elections in May.
Albania starts exhuming Greece’s WWII unburied fallen
HIMARE, Albania (Reuters) – The six Greek soldiers buried under the Brigo family’s olive trees near Himare, a town in southern Albania, have a shrine marking their resting place.
Romania’s legislators approve new government; EU ministry in spotlight
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Romania’s parliament overwhelmingly endorsed a new Social Democrat-led government on Monday, giving Prime Minister Viorica Dancila a mandate that will be scrutinized closely by the country’s foreign partners and investors.
Guilt, fines remain hazy as Saudi corruption purge draws to close
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabian media magnate Waleed al-Ibrahim was found innocent in an anti-corruption purge, a source at his company said on Monday, part of a wider campaign against graft whose secrecy could hurt the country’s effort to win foreign…
Mexico presidency race tightens; leftist stays out front: poll
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Leftist politician Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has consolidated support in his bid for the Mexican presidency, but the race has tightened as another opposition contender gained ground while the ruling party hopeful trailed, a po…
Iran cites change in U.S. navy behavior in Gulf
LONDON (Reuters) – An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander said on Monday that U.S. vessels patrolling the Gulf had changed behavior and now abided by international regulations.
North Korea cancels joint performance with South Korea, blames South media: Seoul
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea has canceled a joint cultural performance with South Korea scheduled for Feb. 4 blaming South Korean media for encouraging “insulting” public sentiment regarding the North, South Korea’s unification ministry said on Monday…
Colombia’s ELN rebels responsible for bomb attacks on police: defense minister
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s ELN rebels are responsible for three bomb attacks against police stations that killed seven and wounded dozens more over the weekend, the nation’s defense minister said on Monday, as the government weighs the future of pea…
Merkel’s embrace splits German Social Democrats over party identity
GOERLITZ/COTTBUS, Germany (Reuters) – Cozying up to Angela Merkel, putting power above principles and jeopardizing the party’s identity: this is how Social Democrats in the eastern German town of Goerlitz see their leaders’ call to share power with the…
