China piles into Cuba as Venezuela fades and Trump looms
HAVANA (Reuters) – From buses and trucks to a $500 million golf resort, China is deepening its business footprint in Cuba, helping the fellow Communist-run state survive a crisis in oil-benefactor Venezuela and insulate against a possible rollback of U…
Trump expects Russia to return Crimea to Ukraine: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump made it clear he expects Russia to return Crimea to Ukraine and reduce violence in Ukraine, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said on Tuesday.
Serbia’s ruling party to back PM Vucic for presidential race
BELGRADE (Reuters) – Serbia’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is to nominate Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic as a candidate for the presidency, Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said on Tuesday.
Israel delays staff’s return to Cairo embassy amid security fears
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The staff to Israel’s embassy in Cairo has been ordered to stay at home because of security concerns, the Shin Bet security service said Tuesday.
U.N., Trump denounce North Korea, but no sign of any action
UNITED NATIONS/SEOUL (Reuters) – The U.N. Security Council denounced North Korea’s weekend missile launch, urging members to “redouble efforts” to enforce sanctions against the reclusive state, but gave no indications of any action it might take.
Syria’s al-Bab largely under control of Turkey-backed rebels, Turkish PM says
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey-backed rebels have largely taken control of Syria’s al-Bab from Islamic State militants, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Tuesday, but a war monitoring group said the jihadists still controlled most of the town.
Forbidden love: Valentine’s Day banned for some in Asia
JAKARTA/ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Valentine’s Day celebrations on Tuesday were banned by authorities in parts of Indonesia and Pakistan, home to Asia’s largest Muslim populations, saying the romantic tradition encouraged casual sex and ran counter to cultu…
Congo police kill at least four in dawn raid on separatist cult
KINSHASA (Reuters) – Congo police made a pre-dawn raid on a separatist group in Kinshasa on Tuesday, killing four people but failing to arrest their leader, a self-styled religious prophet, witnesses and group members said.
Turkey arrests Frenchman suspected of helping plan New Year nightclub attack
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish authorities have arrested a Frenchman suspected of helping plan a New Year’s Day shooting in an Istanbul nightclub which killed 39 people, the state-run Anadolu news agency said on Tuesday.
Israeli PM seeks ‘no gaps’ with Trump ahead of White House talks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, preparing for his first meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, will work with advisers on Tuesday to align Israeli and U.S. thinking on the Middle East and ensure “no gaps” rema…
