New Zealand opposition leader launches campaign for ‘brave’ tackling of inequality
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand’s 37-year-old opposition leader, Jacinda Ardern, officially launched her election campaign on Sunday, pledging her government would be “bold”, “brave” and tackle rising inequality should it win next month’s election.
India investigates after fourth big train accident in past year kills 23
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India began investigating on Sunday a train crash in which 23 people were killed, the fourth major accident over the past year on the world’s fourth biggest rail network which is grappling with chronic under-investment and over-cr…
Australian PM urges developers to design protection from vehicle attacks
Melbourne (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called on Sunday for developers to incorporate safety features into their projects to prevent militant attacks with vehicles and other weapons as he announced new plans to protect the pub…
Australian men charged with terrorism over mosque fires
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Australian police have charged three men with committing terrorist acts on suspicion of starting fires at a Shiite Muslim mosque in Melbourne last year, inspired by Islamic State and intending to divide the Muslim community.
Iraq starts offensive to take back Tal Afar from Islamic State
BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqi security forces launched an offensive to take back the city of Tal Afar on Sunday, their next objective in the U.S.-backed campaign to defeat Islamic State militants, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said.
UK to release tranche of Brexit position papers
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain will issue a cluster of new papers this week to outline its strategy positions in divorce talks with the European Union, ranging from regulation of goods to data protection, the UK’s Brexit department said on Sunday.
Iraqi ship sinks after collision, at least four sailors dead: state TV
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – An Iraqi ship sank on Saturday after a collision with another vessel in Iraq’s territorial waters, killing at least four sailors, Iraqi state television reported.
Palestinian foreign minister welcomes Egypt’s warmer ties with Hamas
CAIRO (Reuters) – Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki on Saturday welcomed Egypt’s closer ties with Hamas, calling on the Islamist group to bring an end to the rift between the Palestinian factions.
Syrian army pounds rebel areas near Damascus after Russian brokered truce
AMMAN (Reuters) – Syrian jets and artillery struck rebel-held eastern Damascus suburbs on Saturday a day after a Russian sponsored ceasefire with a rebel group agreed a halt of fighting in the last opposition enclave in the capital, rebels and witnesse…
Israel’s Netanyahu to discuss Middle East with Putin: statement
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will discuss the Middle East with Russian President Vladimir Putin when they meet in the Russian resort of Sochi next week, his office said on Saturday.




