Russia’s Lavrov to meet Kerry this week: Tass
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet in the Swiss city of Basel this week, Tass news agency quoted a Russian diplomatic source as saying on Wednesday.
Three Somalis killed in attack on U.N. convoy in capital
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – At least three Somali security personnel were killed when a car bomb targeting a United Nations convoy exploded near the airport in the Somali capital, police said.
Lebanese soldier killed while dismantling bomb near Syria
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Lebanese soldier was killed while dismantling an explosive device outside the town of Arsal on the border with Syria on Wednesday, security sources said.
Poverty fuels tensions as Syrian refugees brace for another winter
ANKARA (Reuters) – Syrian refugees across the Middle East, some in exile for a fourth winter, face freezing temperatures, hunger and increasing hostility from locals as governments struggle to cope with the humanitarian crisis.
Ukraine government is ready for talks with IMF: PM Yatseniuk
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said on Wednesday the new government was ready to hold discussions with the International Monetary Fund on the disbursement of the next tranche of financial aid under a $17 billion loan program…
EU, U.S. present Russia with united sanctions, energy front: draft
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – U.S. and EU leaders will on Wednesday pledge to work together on sanctions and on strengthening the energy security of Europe and Ukraine, as they seek to present a united front to Russia, a draft document said.
U.S.-led coalition has weakened Islamic State, Kerry says
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The U.S.-led coalition has inflicted serious damage on Islamic State, carrying out around 1,000 air strikes so far in Iraq and Syria, but the fight against the militants could last years, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on …
Taiwan’s ruling party in crisis as China factor looms large
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party is struggling to convince voters of the benefits of the deeper ties with China it has championed, senior party figures said, after a poll drubbing left it facing its biggest crisis in more than …
U.N. mission calls for new talks between Libyan groups on Dec. 9
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – The U.N.’s mission in Libya will call for a new round of talks to start on Tuesday between Libya’s warring parties, it said in a statement on Wednesday, to try to end a conflict threatening to tear apart the oil producing nation.
Israeli legislators agree on March 17 parliamentary election: radio
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli legislators agreed on Wednesday to set March 17 as the date for a new parliamentary election, Israel Radio said.
