With peace prospects grim, Palestinians raise flag at U.N.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – With prospects for Middle East peace looking increasingly thin, Palestinian diplomats and officials cheered and applauded on Wednesday as their national flag flew for the first time at United Nations headquarters in New York….
Australian trade minister: plan to finish Pacific pact but work ahead
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb said on Wednesday ministers negotiating a Pacific free trade deal came to Atlanta with the intent of closing a deal but still have a lot of work to do.
Basque group ETA says arrests endanger military dismantling
MADRID (Reuters) – Armed Basque separatist group ETA said on Wednesday the recent arrest of two of its members was making it more difficult to complete the dismantling of its remaining weapons and explosives.
Pakistani leader: India, Pakistan should formalize Kashmir truce
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called on Wednesday for cooperation, not confrontation, with on-and-off foe India and said the two countries should formalize a ceasefire in disputed Kashmir.
Turkish workers kidnapped in Iraq return home
ANKARA/BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Sixteen Turkish workers abducted by militants in Iraq arrived back in Turkey to emotional scenes on Wednesday night after more than a month in captivity.
Talks start for surrender of Burkina coup leader: government
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) – Burkina Faso’s government said on Wednesday it had started negotiations to persuade the leader of a short-lived coup to surrender, a day after he took refuge in the Vatican’s compound in the capital.
Weapons bound for Yemen seized on Iranian boat: coalition
DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi-led coalition forces said on Wednesday they had seized an Iranian fishing boat loaded with weapons on its way to deliver them to Houthi fighters in Yemen.
Austrian vice chancellor threatens to quit coalition government
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austria’s vice chancellor and leader of the Conservative Party threatened to quit the coalition government on Wednesday if his Social Democrat partners do not toughen their policies on migrants and shrink the welfare state.
Troops from U.S.-led mission fight Taliban near Afghan city
KABUL (Reuters) – U.S. and allied special forces in Afghanistan battled insurgents besieging the airport outside the northern city of Kunduz that was captured by the Taliban this week, a coalition spokesman and Afghan official said on Wednesday.
South Africans march against corruption, in challenge to Zuma
PRETORIA (Reuters) – Thousands of South Africans from trade unions, opposition parties and civil society groups marched against corruption on Wednesday, calling on President Jacob Zuma to clean up government before local elections next year.
