New U.S.-Philippine military deal, already on ice, could face further delays
MANILA (Reuters) – A U.S.-Philippine defense agreement that would help counter China’s growing naval power in the disputed South China Sea has yet to be implemented more than a year after it was signed, and could now face a fresh political hurdle in Ma…
Syrian army beats back rebel offensive in southern Syria
BEIRUT/GOLAN HEIGHTS (Reuters) – The Syrian army said on Wednesday it had repulsed a major rebel offensive to capture remaining positions held by the Syrian military in Quneitra province, near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, where bombardments coul…
Danes head to the polls in tightest race for over a decade
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – Danes vote on Thursday on whether to keep Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt in power after unpopular belt-tightening reforms that eventually bore economic recovery or to elect center-right rivals who promise tax breaks.
U.N. slams South Sudan president for impeding civilian protection
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations slammed South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Wednesday for hindering efforts to protect civilians by blocking U.N. attack helicopters and surveillance drones and declaring that U.N. personnel caught taking…
Mali army says kills five in clash with militants
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Malian troops killed five gunmen during a clash with an armed group in the central Mopti region, the army and defense ministry said on Wednesday.
Greek government supporters rally in Athens against austerity
ATHENS (Reuters) – A few thousand demonstrators rallied in front of the parliament in Athens on Wednesday to protest against austerity and back the leftist government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in its standoff with Greece’s international creditor…
Chad arrests five and bans burqa after suicide bombings
N’DJAMENA (Reuters) – Chad said on Wednesday it had arrested at least five suspects and had banned religious burqas after suicide bombings blamed on the Islamist Boko Haram killed 34 people.
UK invites Egypt’s Sisi, state media say, day after Mursi ruling
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been invited to visit Britain by the British prime minister, Egypt’s state news agency said on Wednesday, a day after a Cairo court sentenced a former president to death, drawing Western cri…
EU to keep withholding aid from Gambia after expulsion – diplomats
DAKAR (Reuters) – The expulsion of an EU diplomat from Gambia this month has derailed efforts to unblock aid to one of the world’s poorest countries, the source of thousands of illegal migrants headed to Europe, diplomats say.
Merkel’s office suggests special investigator see U.S. spy list
BERLIN (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel’s office has proposed that a special investigator be appointed to inspect a list of targets that German intelligence tracked on behalf of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA).
