‘Putin the Polite,’ chilling hero of Russian souvenirs
MOSCOW (Reuters) – He may be in charge of an economy in crisis, but if mobile phone covers and souvenir mugs are a barometer of popularity, Russian President Vladimir Putin need not fear for his political future.
Afghanistan’s strongman vice-president fights off Taliban ambush
KABUL (Reuters) – A Taliban ambush on Afghan Vice-President Abdul Rashid Dostum’s convoy backfired on Friday when the war-hardened leader’s men fought back, killing at least four militants and capturing a dozen more on a remote highway.
France, India to conclude Rafale jets deal within 10 days: source
PARIS (Reuters) – India’s purchase of French Rafale fighter jets could be concluded in about 10 days, a source with knowledge of the talks told Reuters on Friday.
Thailand increases reward for bombing suspect
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai authorities have tripled to $85,000 a reward for information leading to the arrest of the main suspect in the country’s worst ever bombing.
Four new fires at China blast site, widespread safety hazards found
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Four new fires have broken out at the site where two huge blasts last week killed 116 people, Chinese state media reported Friday soon after officials said safety hazards were found at almost 70 percent of firms handling dangerous …
Ground battles flare as Pakistan pushes new offensive against militants
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) – Pakistani troops pushed deeper into militant-held areas in the North Waziristan region on Friday, launching a ground offensive against the Pakistani Taliban and other Islamist fighters in their last strongholds ne…
Lula’s legacy threatened as Brazil crisis simmers
Sao Paulo (Reuters) – An ongoing political and economic crisis once more threatens to fell the tallest tree in Brazil’s political landscape: former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Erdogan, AK Party set to keep grip with interim Turkish cabinet
ANKARA (Reuters) – President Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling AK Party will keep their grip on power when an interim government is formed next week to lead Turkey to a snap election, with the cabinet set to be dominated by loyalists.
Afghanistan seethes at Taliban meetings it says held in Pakistan
KABUL (Reuters) – The new leader of the Taliban has met influential clerics seeking to heal a rift after the death of founder Mullah Omar, in the latest gathering to anger the Afghan government, which accuses Pakistan of allowing militants to meet on i…
Second group of U.S-trained Syrian rebels could be deployed ‘within weeks’
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A second group of rebel fighters trained in Turkey by the U.S.-led coalition could be deployed to Syria within weeks as part of a campaign to push Islamic State insurgents away from the border, diplomatic sources told Reuters on Fr…
