Russia says Su-27 fighter jet intercepts U.S. spy plane over Black Sea: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted a U.S. surveillance plane over the Black Sea on Monday, RIA news agency quoted the defense ministry as saying.
U.S. Army leader tells Germany: Meet NATO spending goal or weaken NATO
BERLIN (Reuters) – Failure by the next German government to fulfill a pledge to boost military spending to two percent of its economic output will weaken the NATO alliance, a senior U.S. military official said on Monday.
German SPD leader dampens hopes for quick coalition deal: source
BERLIN (Reuters) – The leader of Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) played down hopes on Monday for swift progress in coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, an SPD source said, amid continued disagreement over several issues inclu…
Venezuela’s Maduro launches election campaign with more reggaeton, less Chavez
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, who pitched himself as the “son” of Hugo Chavez to appeal to voters ahead of his 2013 presidential win, has all but scrubbed mention of the late socialist leader from his campaign for re-election this yea…
Italy’s 5-Star presents ‘super-competent’ candidates for election
ROME (Reuters) – University professors, a businessman who lost his savings in a 2015 state bank bailout and a former Olympic athlete will run as candidates for the 5-Star Movement in Italy’s election, the anti-establishment group announced on Monday.
Mexico front-runner pledges to do away with presidential immunity
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – The leftist front-runner for Mexico’s 2018 presidential election on Monday said he would propose reforms to allow a sitting president to be charged with corruption and electoral crimes.
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.
