Ex-Syrian opposition chief says he discussed conflict with Moscow
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The former head of Syria’s main political opposition said he had visited Russia with other opposition figures and had discussed ways to end the conflict with Damascus’s ally Moscow, but had insisted that President Bashar al-Assad mus…
Attacker kills two soldiers guarding Sudan’s presidential palace
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – An attacker with a knife killed two soldiers guarding a gate at Sudan’s presidential palace before other troops shot him dead on Saturday, the president’s press secretary said.
U.S.-led airstrikes target Islamic State leaders in Iraq: report
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – U.S.-led airstrikes targeted a gathering of Islamic State leaders in Iraq, possibly including the group’s top man, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Al-Hadath television station reported on Saturday.
As Obama visits Asia, old alliances face new strains in face of China’s influence
WASHINGTON/JAKARTA (Reuters) – In November 2011, with the Arab Spring uprisings in full tilt and Europe rocked by a debt crisis, President Barack Obama flew to Asia to promote a shift of America’s military, diplomatic and business assets to the region. His then Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, declared in the same year that the 21st century would be “America’s Pacific century”.
Spain’s Rajoy appeals for dialogue after Catalan vote
MADRID (Reuters) – Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Saturday called for renewed dialogue and a “return to sanity” in Catalonia as the region prepares to hold a symbolic vote on independence that is strongly opposed by the central government.
Pope demotes outspoken American conservative cardinal
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis on Saturday demoted an outspoken conservative American cardinal who has been highly critical of the pontiff’s reformist leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.
Unclear if China ready to sign IT agreement: WTO chief
BEIJING (Reuters) – China is part of “intensive” talks on a global trade pact regarding information technology products, the World Trade Organization’s chief said on Saturday, but it is unclear if a deal will be made at a meeting of Asia-Pacific leader…
Indian police arrest suspect in plot to kill Bangladesh PM
GUWAHATI India (Reuters) – Indian police have arrested a 36-year-old woman suspected of being involved in a plot to assassinate the prime minister of Bangladesh and carry out a coup, police said on Saturday.
China says hopes Japan can create favorable atmosphere for talks
BEIJING (Reuters) – China said on Saturday it hopes Japan can create a favorable atmosphere for an expected meeting between the two countries’ leaders, a day after the two sides signaled willingness to put a bitter row over disputed islands on the back…
Supporters of slain Myanmar journalist demand investigation
YANGON (Reuters) – A funeral was held Friday for a Myanmar journalist, two days after his body was exhumed from a shallow grave where soldiers buried him when he died in military custody a month earlier. Some 400 family, friends and supporters of the j…
