Former Australian treasurer Hockey named ambassador to Washington
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Cigar-chomping former Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey was named ambassador to the United States on Tuesday at a time of intense cooperation on issues from the fight against Islamic State militants to Chinese assertiveness in the Asia…
Triumphant Venezuela opposition looks to boost economy, free prisoners
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s opposition vowed on Monday to revive the OPEC nation’s troubled economy and free jailed political activists after winning control of the legislature for the first time in 16 years of Socialist rule.
China, Russia oppose U.N. council meeting on North Korea
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – China and Russia oppose U.S. plans to hold a special meeting this week on human rights in North Korea, which has been accused by a U.N. inquiry of abuses comparable to Nazi-era atrocities, council diplomats said on Monday.
Iran tested missile, breaching U.N. council resolutions: officials
WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Iran tested a new medium-range ballistic missile last month in a breach of two U.N. Security Council resolutions, two U.S. officials said on Monday.
Saudi to host Syria rebel talks, riling Iran
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Syrian opposition meeting due to begin in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday marks the most serious effort yet to unify President Bashar al-Assad’s fragmented enemies, a step seen as vital to peace talks sought by world powers but which has r…
Canada to withdraw jets fighting Islamic State within weeks: minister
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada’s new Liberal government will act within weeks to fulfill a campaign promise to withdraw six fighter jets that have been attacking Islamic State positions in Iraq and Syria, a top official said on Monday.
Russia asks for U.N. council talks on Turkey action in Syria, Iraq
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Russia has asked the United Nations Security Council to hold closed-door discussions on Turkish military action in Syria and Iraq, diplomats said on Monday, in the latest sign of increasing tensions between Moscow and Ankara….
Washington denies U.S.-led coalition hit Syria army camp
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria’s government said a U.S.-led military coalition carried out a deadly air strike on a Syrian army camp, but coalition officials said the report was false.
Afghan president in Pakistan for meeting, hopes for peace talks slim
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is set to open a two-day conference in Pakistan on Tuesday aimed at shoring up support for his war-ravaged nation, but diplomats played down the possibility that stalled Afghan peace talks might resta…
EU dangles February deal for Cameron, but not on migrants
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The man running negotiations with Britain to keep it in the European Union said leaders could seal a deal in February but warned David Cameron that a central demand to curb immigration may be asking too much.
