Russia, pressed to end Syria bombing, proposes March truce
UNITED NATIONS/DAMASCUS/ONCUPINAR, Turkey (Reuters) – World powers pressed Russia on Wednesday to stop bombing around Aleppo in support of a Syrian government offensive to recapture the city and a Western official said Moscow had presented a proposal e…
Thailand’s ‘sea gypsies’ fight for access to ancestral shrines
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s nomadic fishermen on Thursday urged the government to help resolve a dispute over access to ancestral shrines on land taken over by developers, following violence in which dozens were injured last month.
Australian looks set for climate skeptic deputy PM
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will likely inherit a hard-right, climate change skeptic for his deputy after the retirement of his current No.2 on Thursday, an appointment that could block any revamp of an emissions tradi…
With fewer U.S. troops in Afghanistan, pressure grows for more air strikes
KABUL (Reuters) – Pressure is growing on the U.S. military to do more to help Afghan forces repel the threat posed by Taliban militants, and commanders in Washington and Kabul agree that enhanced air power may be where it can make the most difference.
Ex-president of El Salvador faces trial over source of $700,000
SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) – Former El Salvador President Mauricio Funes will face a civil trial after he was not able to verify the source of more than $700,000 found in his personal bank accounts, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday.
Short of options, Sri Lanka turns back to Beijing’s embrace
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Just over a year after a new leader was elected and Sri Lanka’s business ties with China came under close scrutiny, Colombo is reversing course by resuming a stalled port project and naming Beijing as the front runner for a new spec…
Turkey, Greece seek NATO mission in Aegean: German official
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Turkey and Greece have agreed to ask for a NATO mission to monitor refugee flows in the Aegean Sea and combat people smugglers, a senior German government official said late on Wednesday.
Senate votes overwhelmingly for tougher North Korea sanctions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday for legislation broadening sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear program, human rights record and cyber activities, as U.S. lawmakers sought to crack down on Pyongyang for its…
Damascus expects tough but short battle for Aleppo
DAMASCUS (Reuters) – The Syrian government expects a tough battle for Aleppo, the city that has become the focal point of the country’s long civil war, but is confident of victory and says it won’t be a long fight.
U.N. Security Council members push Russia to stop Aleppo bombing
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Several United Nations Security Council members pressed Russia on Wednesday to stop bombing around Syria’s Aleppo in support of a Syrian military offensive and allow humanitarian access ahead of a crucial meeting of major pow…
