Southeast Asia maritime build-up accelerates, raising risks in disputed seas
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Southeast Asian nations are prioritizing spending on their navies and coastguards amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, but as their capabilities grow, so does the risk that any confrontation in the contested waterway will …
U.S. fighter jets escort Air France flight to New York after threat
NEW YORK (Reuters) – An Air France flight from Paris was escorted by two U.S. F-15 fighter jets to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday after an anonymous threat was made against the flight, the U.S. military said.
Tens of thousands turn up for funeral of Saudi suicide attack victims
QATIF, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of people turned out at a mass funeral in eastern Saudi Arabia for 21 Shi’ite Muslims killed last week in a suicide bombing claimed by Islamic State, a Reuters witness said.
Greece says wants to make debt payments but needs aid urgently
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece intends to make good on its debt obligations but needs aid urgently to be able to do so, the government said on Monday, after several senior officials insisted Athens had no money to pay a loan installment falling due next wee…
Islamic State faces battle in Iraq, U.S. reassures Abadi
BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Islamic State poured more fighters into Ramadi as security forces and Shi’ite paramilitaries prepared to try to retake the Iraqi city, while Washington scrambled on Monday to reassure Baghdad after a U.S. official’s sharp…
Japan to join U.S., Australia war games amid growing China tensions
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Japan will join a major U.S.-Australian military exercise for the first time in a sign of growing security links between the three countries as tensions fester over China’s island building in the South China Sea.
Libyan power station shuts down for lack of fuel after tanker attack
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – A power station in a central Libyan city has shut down from lack of fuel, afterwar planes belonging to the country’s official government bombed a tanker delivering supplies, officials of the state-owned power company said on Monday….
Opposition breaks off Burundi peace talks over killing of opposition leader
BUJUMBURA (Reuters) – Burundi’s opposition boycotted peace talks with the government on Monday in protest at the killing of an opposition leader, despite U.N.-led calls for dialogue to end a month of protests and violence in the east African country.
China lodges complaint with U.S. over spy plane flight
BEIJING (Reuters) – China said it had lodged a complaint with the United States over a U.S. spy plane that flew over parts of the disputed South China Sea in a diplomatic row that has fuelled tension between the world’s two largest economies.
Philippines seeks stronger commitment from U.S. in South China Sea dispute
FORT SAN FELIPE, Philippines (Reuters) – The Philippines is seeking a “stronger commitment” from the United States to help its ally, the defense minister said on Monday, as China asserts its sovereignty over disputed areas of the South China Sea.
