Japan PM Abe to craft war history comments with eye on U.S.
TOKYO (Reuters) – When Prime Minister Shinzo Abe addresses Japan’s wartime past in a statement marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, the reaction of ally Washington will likely be as much, if not more, on his mind than that of Asian…
Kerry extends Iran talks, French foreign minister returns
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his German and French counterparts extended marathon talks in Switzerland on Wednesday for a second day beyond a self-imposed deadline to reach a preliminary agreement with Iran o…
Islamic State seizes vast Damascus refugee camp
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Islamic State fighters seized most of a vast camp for Palestinian refugees on the outskirts of Damascus from other insurgents on Wednesday in a bid to capture a major foothold close to President Bashar al-Assad’s seat of power.
Chad says hundreds of Boko Haram militants, nine soldiers killed in clash
N’DJAMENA (Reuters) – Chad’s army said its forces had killed hundreds of Boko Haram militants and lost nine of its own troops in clashes in northern Nigeria on Wednesday.
Israel tests U.S.-backed missile shield as Iran nuclear talks churn
JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A new Israeli air defense system being developed in partnership with the United States met all its objectives in a series of recent live interception tests, U.S. and Israeli officials said Wednesday, putting it on cours…
Thai junta lifts martial law, but retains broad powers
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s ruling junta said on Wednesday it had lifted martial law imposed just before a coup 10 months ago, but it invoked a security clause in the country’s interim constitution that will mean the military will retain broad power…
Iraq claims victory over Islamic State in Tikrit
TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) – The Iraqi government claimed victory over Islamic State insurgents in Tikrit on Wednesday after a month-long battle for the city supported by Shi’ite militiamen and U.S.-led air strikes, saying that only small pockets of resist…
Rio residents protest Olympic eviction with road block
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Residents of a squatter settlement in Brazil marked for demolition to make way for the Olympic Park protested against eviction on Wednesday, blocking a main road into Rio de Janeiro during morning rush-hour traffic.
Turkish police shoot two attackers outside Istanbul HQ: media
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish police shot two attackers outside Istanbul’s police headquarters on Wednesday, killing one of them and leaving two officers injured in an exchange of fire, local media reported.
Explosion at Yemen factory kills at least 25: residents, medics
ADEN (Reuters) – An explosion at a dairy factory in Yemen’s Hodaida port killed at least 25 workers, medical sources said, with conflicting accounts attributing the blast to an air strike by a Saudi-led alliance or to a rocket landing from a nearby arm…
