Pakistan arrests local Islamic State commander: sources
LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) – Pakistani security forces have arrested a man they believe is the commander of the Islamic State group in the country as well as two accomplices involved in recruiting and sending fighters to Syria, intelligence sources sai…
Russia says progress on Iran nuclear talks possible by end-June
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday there had been progress in world powers’ talks with Iran on its nuclear program and there were grounds to believe an agreement could be reached by an end-June deadline.
Russia denies its troops are in Ukraine
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia denied new accusations by Kiev that it had sent soldiers and weapons to east Ukraine and held out hope of progress at talks on the conflict in Berlin on Wednesday despite renewed fighting.
China says ousted security tsar’s influence corrupted others
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s domestic security chief said his disgraced predecessor, Zhou Yongkang, led many others astray, alluding to a widening crackdown on Zhou’s friends and associates, the Beijing News reported on Wednesday.
Beset by hardship, Iranians losing hope for future
ANKARA (Reuters) – As prices of food, water and electricity rise further beyond reach, struggling Iranians are losing belief in their pragmatic president and his promise of a brighter future.
Manila says China’s ‘massive’ reclamation work a serious concern
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines on Wednesday accused China of undertaking massive reclamation work on several reefs in the disputed South China Sea, expressing concern the activities could fuel tensions.
EU court upholds sanctions on Assad uncle
LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) – Judges in the European Union upheld EU sanctions against a wealthy uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a judgment released by the General Court on Wednesday.
Russia to seek immediate ceasefire at Ukraine talks
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he would seek an immediate ceasefire in east Ukraine at talks in Berlin on Wednesday with the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Germany and France.
Putin not flinching on Ukraine despite economic crisis
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A surge in violence in east Ukraine is undermining international hopes that Russia’s financial crisis and Western sanctions will force President Vladimir Putin to change policy on the conflict.
Zambian kwacha strengthens after peaceful presidential vote
Lusaka (Reuters) – The Zambian kwacha gained 1.4 percent on Wednesday, a sign of investor confidence following a tight but smooth presidential elections in the southern African economy, where copper accounts for 70 percent of export earnings.
