Iran uses maritime confrontations to project power in Gulf
ANKARA (Reuters) – Iran is using its sea power in the Gulf to show it will not be cowed by Washington’s newly assertive Arab allies, prompting critics to accuse Tehran of destabilizing the region.
Ousted Thai PM Thaksin says no plans to mobilize supporters
SEOUL (Reuters) – Thailand’s fugitive former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, said on Tuesday he had no plans to mobilize his “Red Shirt” supporters but called the first year of the junta government which came to power in a coup “not so impressive”….
Australian PM Abbott closes door on foreign fighters coming home
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Tuesday ruled out an amnesty for Australian citizens seeking to quit foreign militant groups and return home in the wake of media reports that his government was negotiating with potential def…
Burundi president fires defense chief after coup attempt
BUJUMBURA (Reuters) – Burundi’s embattled President Pierre Nkurunziza sacked his defense and foreign ministers on Monday, five days after surviving an attempted coup by generals opposed to his bid for a third term in office.
Shi’ite forces move in on Iraqi city taken by Islamic State
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Thousands of Shi’ite militiamen on Monday prepared to fight Islamic State insurgents who seized the Iraqi provincial capital Ramadi at the weekend in the biggest defeat for government forces in nearly a year.
Cuba says conditions ‘favorable’ for restoring ties with U.S.
HAVANA (Reuters) – Conditions are favorable for restoring diplomatic relations with the United States, Cuba said on Monday ahead of upcoming talks in Washington.
More than 50 dead, dozens injured in Colombia landslide
BOGOTA (Reuters) – A landslide sent mud and water crashing onto homes in a town in Colombia’s northwest mountains on Monday, killing more than 50 people and injuring dozens, officials said.
Shi’ite forces move in on Iraqi city taken by Islamic State
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Thousands of Shi’ite militiamen on Monday prepared to fight Islamic State insurgents who seized the Iraqi provincial capital Ramadi at the weekend in the biggest defeat for government forces in nearly a year.
Roads before welfare: India’s Modi faces dissent over spending shakeup
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – As Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes one year in office, his cuts in federal welfare spending on the poorest of India’s 1.25 billion people are coming in for sharp criticism, including from within his cabinet.
U.S. probing Venezuelan officials for possible drug trafficking: WSJ
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. authorities are investigating Venezuela’s powerful parliamentary chief, Diosdado Cabello, and other senior officials for possible cocaine trafficking and money laundering, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
