Afghan air force ascent slow, imperiling battle with Taliban
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan’s armed forces are so short of combat-ready aircraft that, late last year, they began fitting machine guns and rockets to Russian-made Mi-17 transport helicopters, dubbed “flying tractors”, to bolster their air power.
Rebels press Ukraine offensive, Obama promises steps against Russian-backed ‘aggression’
NEW DELHI/KIEV (Reuters) – Pro-Moscow rebels, backed by what NATO says is the open participation of Russian troops, pressed on with their offensive on Sunday after restarting the war in eastern Ukraine with the first all-out assault since a truce five …
Obama reveals nuclear breakthrough on landmark India trip
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – In a glow of bonhomie, U.S. President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled plans to unlock billions of dollars in nuclear trade and to deepen defense ties, steps they hope will establish an enduring strate…
Morocco arrests suspected Algerian militant tied to Frenchman’s murder
RABAT (Reuters) – Moroccan authorities said on Sunday they arrested a suspected Algerian member of the militant group responsible for kidnapping and beheading French tourist Herve Gourdel east of Algiers in September.
Greek leftist leader Tsipras claims victory over austerity
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek leftist leader Alexis Tsipras promised on Sunday that five years of austerity, “humiliation and suffering” imposed by international creditors were over after his Syriza party swept to victory in a snap election on Sunday.
Hoax caller impersonating spy chief put through to UK PM Cameron
LONDON (Reuters) – The British government said it was reviewing security procedures after a hoax caller claiming to be the director of Britain’s GCHQ eavesdropping agency was put through to Prime Minister David Cameron on Sunday.
Afghan air force ascent slow, imperiling battle with Taliban
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan’s armed forces are so short of combat-ready aircraft that, late last year, they began fitting machine guns and rockets to Russian-made Mi-17 transport helicopters, dubbed “flying tractors”, to bolster their air power.
Three Malian soldiers killed in clash with gunmen in north
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Unidentified gunmen clashed with Malian security forces in the northern region of Timbuktu on Sunday, killing at least three soldiers, officials said.
U.N. to hold new Libya talks, gunmen kidnap deputy foreign minister
BENGHAZI/TRIPOLI (Reuters) – A new round of talks between rival Libyan factions will take place in Geneva on Monday, the United Nations said, even as gunmen kidnapped the deputy foreign minister of the recognised government.
At least 17 killed in protests on anniversary of Egypt uprising
CAIRO (Reuters) – At least 17 people were killed on Sunday in Egypt’s bloodiest protests since Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was elected president, as security forces fired at protesters marking the anniversary of the 2011 uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak.
