Passions run high ahead of Hong Kong debate on China-vetted democracy blueprint
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Thousands of police and protesters are expected to converge on Hong Kong’s Legislative Council on Wednesday when lawmakers debate a Beijing-backed electoral reform plan that could trigger fresh pro-democracy protests in the Chines…
Victories over Islamic State give Syria Kurds claim to bigger role
BEIRUT (Reuters) – With a string of victories over Islamic State, Syria’s Kurds are proving themselves an ever more dependable ally in the U.S.-led fight against the jihadists and building influence that will make them a force in Middle Eastern politic…
Al Qaeda deputy leader killed in U.S. bombing in Yemen
DUBAI/SANAA (Reuters) – The deputy leader of al Qaeda, Nasser al-Wuhayshi, has been killed in a U.S. bombing in Yemen, the group and the White House said on Tuesday, removing the director of a string of attacks against the West and a man once seen as a…
Putin says Russia beefing up nuclear arsenal, NATO denounces ‘saber-rattling’
KUBINKA, Russia (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia was concerned about an anti-missile defense system near its borders, after announcing that Russia would add more than 40 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) to its …
Afghan troops must improve to avoid stalemate with Taliban: Pentagon
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Afghan security forces have demonstrated resilience in heavy fighting with the Taliban this year, but suffered high casualties and must continue to improve to achieve more than a stalemate this fighting season, the Pentagon said …
UK’s Cameron suffers rebellion as he tries to tame party over EU
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday suffered his first parliamentary rebellion since being re-elected last month as he tried to unite his party on Europe by making concessions on the timing and rules of a planned EU membe…
China says about to finish some land reclamation in South China Sea
BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – China will soon complete some of its land reclamation on the Spratly islands in the disputed South China Sea, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, indicating that Beijing is close to setting up new outposts in the mariti…
New round of Iran nuclear talks this week: EU
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – A new round of nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers will begin this week after a meeting starting on Wednesday in Vienna between Iranian negotiators and a senior EU official, the European Commission said on Tuesday.
Kerry says spoke with Pakistani leader on India tensions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Secretary of State John Kerry said he expressed his concerns to Pakistan’s prime minister on Tuesday about the recent increase in public tensions between his country and nuclear- armed rival India.
Three kidnapped Tunisian diplomats freed in Libya
TUNIS (Reuters) – Three of 10 Tunisian consular staff kidnapped in Libya last week have been freed and negotiations over the other hostages are continuing, a Libyan official and a Tunisian source said on Tuesday.
