U.S. asks NATO for surveillance planes in fight against Islamic State
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The head of NATO said on Thursday that the United States has requested the alliance’s help in fighting Islamic State in the Middle East by providing surveillance planes called the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).
Sudan opens border with South Sudan for first time since 2011 secession
KHARTOUM/JUBA (Reuters) – Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir ordered the opening of his country’s border with South Sudan for the first time since the south’s secession in 2011, paving the way for better economic links between the two nations.
Next ‘Vienna format’ meeting on Syria may take place on Feb. 11: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The next round of Syria talks in the “Vienna format” may take place on Feb. 11, RIA news agency quoted Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Hossein Amirabdollahian as saying in Moscow on Thursday.
Germany, France can’t solve refugee issue without me: Italy PM
BERLIN (Reuters) – It is unacceptable for German Chancellor Angela Merkel to cut deals on Europe’s refugee crisis with French President Francois Hollande and the head of the European Commission without involving Italy, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Ren…
British PM Cameron to meet EU’s Tusk on Sunday as package takes shape
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron will meet European Council President Donald Tusk in London on Sunday, an EU spokesman said, as officials prepare to reveal details of reform negotiations next week.
Iran calls on Saudi Arabia ‘to stop increasing tension’ in Middle East
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia must stop its actions which increase tension in the Middle East, Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said during a visit to Moscow on Thursday.
Iran’s Rouhani in France to revive business ties after nuclear deal
PARIS (Reuters) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told French business leaders on Wednesday that Iran was open for investment as he started a visit in France to revive business ties despite diplomatic differences.
Kidnapped Al Jazeera journalists freed in Yemen: network
DUBAI (Reuters) – Two journalists and a driver working for the Qatari-owned Al Jazeera Arabic TV channel were freed in Yemen on Thursday, the network said, ten days after they were abducted by gunmen in the war-torn southwestern city of Taiz.
Twelve migrants drown as boat sinks off Greek island
ATHENS (Reuters) – Twelve migrants drowned when their boat sank off a Greek island close to Turkey, the Greek coastguard said on Thursday, as people continue to make crossings to Europe despite the harsh winter conditions.
Unease stirs as Myanmar’s Suu Kyi reaches out to former foes
YANGON (Reuters) – When leaders of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy huddled this month to discuss the transfer of power in Myanmar, they quickly reached decisions on who from the party should take the key posts in the next parliament.
