EU sanctions on Russia depend on Ukraine truce: Latvia
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The European Union will consider lifting sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis only if there is “real progress” in implementing a four-month-old ceasefire deal, Latvia’s foreign minister said on Monday.
Modi faces popularity test with Delhi election in February
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will face a test of his popularity next month as the national capital goes to the polls amid concerns over corruption and rising prices.New Delhi has been under president’s rule for almost a yea…
Afghan president finally nominates cabinet ministers
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan President Ashraf Ghani nominated ministers for his new cabinet on Monday, after a wait of more than three months, to try to establish a working government to tackle the violence-racked country’s problems.
Egypt court orders release of 26 men detained over bath house ‘orgy’
CAIRO (Reuters) – An Egyptian court on Monday ordered the release of 26 men who were detained last month in a raid on a Cairo bath house after police received a tip that they were holding gay orgies.
U.S., Iran eye progress in next round of nuclear talks: Kerry
GANDHINAGAR, INDIA (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday that he and his Iranian counterpart would seek at their meeting on Wednesday to lay the ground for negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program to make greater progress.
France mobilizes 10,000 troops at home after Paris shootings
PARIS (Reuters) – France will have more than 10,000 soldiers mobilized on home soil by Tuesday after 17 were killed in attacks carried out by Islamist militants in Paris last week, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Monday.
China slams Philippines for criticizing island project in South China Sea
BEIJING (Reuters) – China on Monday hit back at the Philippines for criticizing Beijing’s ongoing reclamation project in the disputed South China Sea, saying that its actions were within the scope of Chinese sovereignty.
Kerry, departing India, unhurt in motorcade shunt, says U.S. official
AHMEDABAD, India (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was unhurt on Monday in a minor accident involving his motorcade as it headed to the airport at the end of his visit to India, his spokesperson Jen Psaki said.
Police in China shoot dead six in restive Xinjiang
BEIJING (Reuters) – A group of “mobsters” on Monday tried to set off an explosive device in a business district in China’s troubled western region of Xinjiang, prompting police to shoot six of them dead, the local government said.
Nusra Front threatens action against Lebanese soldiers after prison raid: Twitter account
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front threatened on Monday action against members of the Lebanese security forces it holds as captives after police stormed a wing of the country’s largest prison where Islamist militants are detained.




