Russia calls U.S. move to better arm Syrian rebels a ‘hostile act’
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia said on Tuesday that a U.S. decision to ease restrictions on arming Syrian rebels had opened the way for deliveries of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, a move it said would directly threaten Russian forces in Syria.
South Korea special prosecutor detains pension fund chairman
SEOUL (Reuters) – A South Korean special prosecution team investigating the corruption scandal that has engulfed the country’s presidency said it had placed the chairman of the National Pension Service (NPS) under emergency detention early on Wednesday…
Wing flap fault main theory behind Black Sea Russian jet crash
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian investigators looking into the crash of a military plane that crashed, killing all 92 on board, believe a fault with its wing flaps was the reason it plunged into the Black Sea, an investigative source told the Interfax news …
Iraqi PM says three months needed to rout Islamic State
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Tuesday it would take three months to remove Islamic State from Iraq, as U.S.-backed forces battle to dislodge the militants from Mosul, their last major stronghold in the country.
Polish truck driver shot long before Berlin attack: report
BERLIN (Reuters) – A Polish truck driver whose hijacked vehicle was used to crash into a Berlin Christmas market was shot in the head several hours before the attack and could not have attempted to foil it as previously thought, Bild newspaper reported…
Russia, Pakistan, China warn of increased Islamic State threat in Afghanistan
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia, China and Pakistan warned on Tuesday that the influence of Islamic State (IS) was growing in Afghanistan and that the security situation there was deteriorating.
China tells top officials to lead corruption fight by example
BEIJING (Reuters) – The top echelons of China’s ruling Communist Party must lead the fight against corruption by accepting supervision for all they do, state media on Tuesday quoted President Xi Jinping as saying.
U.S.-backed Syrian force hopes to get anti-aircraft missiles
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A U.S.-backed alliance of militias fighting Islamic State hopes a U.S. decision to ease some restrictions on arming groups in Syria will lead to them getting anti-aircraft missiles, its spokesman said on Tuesday.
Gunmen kidnap Iraqi journalist in Baghdad, PM orders investigation
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – An Iraqi journalist was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen from her home in Baghdad overnight, police and relatives said on Tuesday, prompting Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to order an investigation.
Japan’s Abe pays respects at Hawaii memorials on eve of Pearl Harbor trip
HONOLULU (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday stopped at several memorials in Hawaii, one day before he visits the site of the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor during a trip intended to show a strong alliance between his country and the…
