Syrian army advances against Islamic State near Aleppo: monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian army and its allies made a sudden advance on Saturday and Sunday into areas held by Islamic State in northwest Syria, a war monitor said, as the jihadist group retreated after losing the city of al-Bab to Turkey-backed reb…
Iran holds naval war games amid rising tensions with U.S.
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran launched naval drills at the mouth of the Gulf and the Indian Ocean on Sunday, a naval commander said, as tensions with the United States escalated after U.S President Donald Trump put Tehran “on notice”.
South African deputy finance minister named in police probe: newspaper
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas is being investigated by the Hawks elite police unit as part of a probe into allegations of corruption at state-owned South African Airways (SAA), the City Press newspaper re…
In ‘special message’, Taliban leader urges Afghans to plant more trees
KABUL (Reuters) – The Taliban group in Afghanistan on Sunday used a rare public statement in the name of its leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, to call on Afghans to plant more trees for worldly and other-worldly good.
In India, regional rival takes on Modi at his own game
LUCKNOW, India (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi out-campaigned all-comers in the 2014 general election but, as he faces his biggest mid-term test, he is up against a rival determined to beat him at his own game.
Kyrgyz opposition leader detained ahead of presidential campaign
BISHKEK (Reuters) – Kyrgyzstan’s state security service said it detained opposition politician Omurbek Tekebayev on Sunday on charges of corruption and fraud, a move that may eliminate him as a contender for presidency in the upcoming election.
Malaysia rolls out red carpet as Saudi king kicks off Asia tour
KUALA LUMPUR/DUBAI (Reuters) – Malaysia welcomed Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Sunday for the start of a rare, month-long Asian tour, where the monarch will build ties and seek to draw more investments to the oil-rich gulf nation.
Malaysia declares airport safe for travel after nerve agent attack
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia on Sunday declared its international airport a “safe zone” after completing a sweep of the terminal where the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was assaulted with a deadly chemical last week.
Australia, Indonesia restore full military ties, see progress on trade
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia and Indonesia said on Sunday that full military ties between the two countries had been restored, after Indonesia’s military suspended cooperation in January because of “insulting” teaching material found at an Australian base.
Wary of Trump unpredictability, China ramps up naval abilities
BEIJING (Reuters) – The PLA Navy is likely to secure significant new funding in China’s upcoming defense budget as Beijing seeks to check U.S. dominance of the high seas and step up its own projection of power around the globe.
