U.S. urges wider challenge to China’s claims in South China Sea
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia and other countries should follow the U.S. lead and conduct “freedom-of-navigation” naval operations within 12 nautical miles of contested islands in the South China Sea, a senior U.S. naval officer was reported as saying o…
Stability still elusive despite peaceful Central African election
BANGUI (Reuters) – As rival gunmen tightened their stranglehold on Central African Republic during three years of inter-religious bloodshed, women like Madeleine Nzanga became, and remain, lifelines for the nation’s war-weary people.
Australia announces voting reforms, signaling possible early polls
(Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull introduced a bill on electoral reform on Monday, signaling a potential dissolution of parliament and an early election to break political deadlock.
Evo Morales looks set to lose Bolivia referendum on fourth term
LA PAZ (Reuters) – Bolivian President Evo Morales looked headed for defeat in a referendum on whether the leftist leader can seek a fourth term in office, according to exit polls and early results on Sunday.
China weapons exports surge over past five years: report
BEIJING (Reuters) – China has almost doubled its weapons exports in the past five years, a military think tank said on Monday, as the world’s third-largest weapons exporter pours capital into developing an advanced arms manufacturing industry.
Conditions not met for April 24 elections in Macedonia: EU, U.S.
SKOPJE (Reuters) – The European Union and the United States said on Sunday Macedonia had failed to create conditions for free and fair elections on April 24 as envisaged in an EU-brokered agreement last year.
Army claims advances in Libyan cities of Benghazi and Ajdabiya
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – Military forces loyal to Libya’s eastern government said on Sunday they had pushed back Islamist fighters in several areas of Benghazi, seizing the strategic port of Marisa.
Egyptian rights group asks court to halt official move to shut it down
CAIRO (Reuters) – An Egyptian organization that documents rights abuses and treats torture victims said on Sunday it had filed an urgent application to a court in the hope of halting plans by authorities to shut it down on Monday.
Ten killed in thwarted Ivory Coast prison break: authorities
ABIDJAN (Reuters) – Nine prisoners and one guard were killed at the main jail in Ivory Coast in a failed escape attempt by inmates who had obtained firearms, prosecutor general Aly Yeo said on state television on Sunday.
Kerry meets with Abbas, urges calm, decrease in violence
AMMAN (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged calm in talks on Sunday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on tensions between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to a two-state …
