Little noticed, new Saudi king shapes contours of power
RIYADH (Reuters) – By rapidly appointing two heirs, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has pressed pause on “succession Sudoku”, as one leading local journalist calls speculation over whose star is rising and whose waning in the large and secretive Al Saud rul…
Japanese reporter says barring him from Syria sets a bad precedent
TOKYO (Reuters) – A Japanese photo journalist whose passport was confiscated by the government ahead of a planned trip to Syria said his case sets a dangerous precedent for other journalists traveling abroad to report on foreign wars.
Foiled Australia attackers vowed to ‘strike necks and kidneys’ of victims
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Two men behind what Australian police called a foiled attack linked to Islamic State referred in a seized video to “stabbing the kidneys and striking the necks” of their intended victims, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Thursday.
Six Taiwan inmates commit suicide, ending hostage standoff
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Six inmates who seized weapons from the armory at a Taiwan jail and took the warden and top guard hostage have committed suicide after an overnight standoff, a senior official said on Thursday.
Leaders to sign document after Minsk talks on Ukraine: source
MINSK (Reuters) – Leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France will sign a document following all-night talks in Minsk on solving the Ukraine conflict, a diplomatic source said on Thursday.
Thousands protest against Houthi rule in Yemen after embassies close
SANAA (Reuters) – Yemenis in the capital Sanaa and the central city of Taiz held the largest protests yet against a takeover by a Shi’ite Muslim militia group on Wednesday after the United States, Britain and France shut their embassies over security f…
Leaders hold Ukraine peace talks as fighting surges
MINSK (Reuters) – The leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine held peace talks in Belarus deep into the night, while in Ukraine pro-Moscow separatists tightened the pressure on Kiev by launching some of the war’s worst fighting.
Sri Lanka seeks delay in U.N. war-crimes report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Sri Lanka said on Wednesday it was seeking a delay of several months in the release of a U.N. report on alleged war crimes during the country’s civil war until the government has time to establish a new judicial mechanism to deal…
Australia seeks last-ditch deal to save pair from execution in Indonesia
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia is pursuing a last-ditch deal with Indonesia to save two of its citizens from imminent execution on drugs charges, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on Thursday, in a case that threatens to strain already fragile relations…
EU leaders to urge stricter border checks in counter-terror drive
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union leaders are set to call on Thursday for stricter checks on travelers entering the passport-free Schengen area and increased information-sharing as part of a revamped counter-terrorism strategy following the Paris att…
