U.S. returns scores of smuggled artifacts to Iraq government
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – More than 60 Iraqi cultural artifacts smuggled into the United States, including a limestone statue of an ancient king, were returned to the government of Iraq on Monday, the Department of Homeland Security said.
Russia’s Putin reappears after 10 day absence, laughs off ‘gossip’
STRELNA, Russia (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin reappeared on Monday after 10 unexplained days out of public view, laughing off the “gossip” over his health that had erupted during his absence.
EU chooses Italian negotiator as EU Middle East envoy
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union chose on Monday a veteran Italian negotiator as the bloc’s special representative to the Middle East, a decision EU officials said had no bearing on the role of former British prime minister Tony Blair in the reg…
U.N. concerned by Islamic State’s ability to unite Afghan insurgents
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations is concerned by the presence of Islamic State in Afghanistan but says the militant group’s power to unite insurgents is more significant than its capabilities in the war-torn country, a top U.N. official sa…
Cyclone Pam leaves devastation in Vanuatu, 24 confirmed killed
PORTA VILA (Reuters) – Reports from the outer islands of Vanuatu painted a picture of utter destruction after a monster cyclone tore through the South Pacific island nation, flattening buildings and killing at least 24 people.
Oil embargo should be considered if Libya talks fail, Spain says
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Spain said on Monday the European Union should consider an oil embargo and freezing of Libyan central bank assets if U.N.-brokered talks to resolve the country’s political crisis failed.
Pakistani man accused of planning Toronto attack kept in custody
TORONTO (Reuters) – A Pakistani man who is accused of planning to bomb the U.S. consulate in Toronto and other targets in the city’s financial district will remain in custody pending an immigration review in April, Canadian media reported on Monday.
Russia starts nationwide show of force
MOSCOW (Reuters) – More than 45,000 Russian troops as well as war planes and submarines started military exercises across much of the country on Monday in one of the Kremlin’s biggest shows of force since its ties with the West plunged to Cold War-lows…
Tusk presses EU leaders to pledge to keep sanctions on Russia
ROME/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Council President Donald Tusk is pressing EU leaders to pledge this week to keep sanctions on Russia until a Ukraine ceasefire deal is fully in place, effectively extending sanctions until at least the end of the year…
Pakistan police use tear gas to break up church attack protests
LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) – Pakistani police broke up Christian protesters in the eastern city of Lahore with tear gas and baton charges on Monday, a day after suicide bombers killed at least 16 people outside two churches, police said.
