Merkel’s Bavarian ally signals open to tie-up with Greens after Sept vote
BERLIN (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Bavarian ally has signaled it could back a coalition between their conservative bloc and the opposition Greens after a national election due in September.
As U.S. weighs Afghan strategy, hopes set on fledgling Air Force
KABUL (Reuters) – As the U.S. administration prepares its new strategy for Afghanistan, the Kabul government and its Western allies are working hard to develop an air force that gives government forces the advantage in their war against Taliban militan…
Erdogan visits Gulf in bid to defuse Qatar row
DUBAI (Reuters) – Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan traveled to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait on Sunday, the Gulf states’ official news agencies reported, as part of a diplomatic tour aimed at healing an Arab rift with Ankara’s ally Qatar.
Russia to blame for ‘hot war’ in Ukraine: U.S. special envoy
KIEV (Reuters) – Russian aggression is to blame for violence in eastern Ukraine, where people are dying in what should be seen as a “hot war” rather than a “frozen conflict”, the U.S. special envoy to the Ukraine peace talks said on a visit to Ukraine …
Germany must act now to stop re-run of refugee crisis, Merkel rival says
AACHEN, Germany (Reuters) – Germany needs to take action now to prevent a re-run of 2015, when some 890,000 migrants arrived in the country, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Social Democrat challenger for a September election told Reuters on Sunday.
Mali confirms arrest of key jihadist near Timbuktu
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Malian and French troops have arrested a close associate of a preacher whose jihadist group has claimed dozens of attacks against Western and Malian targets, Mali’s security minister said on Sunday.
Iran and Iraq sign accord to boost military cooperation
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran and Iraq signed an agreement on Sunday to step up military cooperation and the fight against “terrorism and extremism”, Iranian media reported, an accord which is likely to raise concerns in Washington.
French President Macron’s popularity rating drops
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron’s popularity rating has slumped by 10 percentage points this month, according to an Ifop poll on Sunday – the biggest decline for a new president since 1995.
Japanese PM Abe’s support slides again before parliament appearance
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s support slid 10 points to 26 percent in a poll published on Sunday, a day before Abe will be grilled in parliament over a suspected scandal that is cutting his ratings to the lowest since taking of…
Top Merkel aide says Turkey’s conduct ‘unacceptable’
BERLIN (Reuters) – Turkey’s behavior is “unacceptable” and Germany has a duty to protect its citizens and companies but also wants to maintain strong ties with Ankara, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff said on Sunday.
