Japanese reporter’s bid to save friend led to IS abduction
TOKYO (Reuters) – It is an unlikely friendship that ties the fates of war correspondent Kenji Goto and troubled loner Haruna Yukawa, the two Japanese hostages for which Islamic State militants demanded a $200 million (132.34 million pounds) ransom this…
U.S. State official: ‘gaps remain’ in some areas in Iran nuclear talks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday there is still a “credible chance” for international negotiators to reach a viable agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.
Afghan parliament rejects cabinet nominees over dual citizenship
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan’s parliament said on Wednesday it will not confirm seven out of 25 nominees to a long-awaited cabinet because they hold dual citizenship, another obstacle to President Ashraf Ghani forming a government after nearly four mo…
France reinforces security, spy agencies after attacks
PARIS (Reuters) – France is to recruit thousands of extra police, spies and investigators to boost national security and intelligence, Prime Minister Manuel Valls announced on Wednesday, two weeks after 17 people were killed by Islamist militants.
Merkel plays down expectations from new Ukraine talks in Berlin
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s Angela Merkel said on Wednesday she hoped a new round of talks with Ukraine and Russia in Berlin could help implement an elusive ceasefire in eastern Ukraine but warned against expecting too much, given another upsurge in t…
On Ebola front line, first glimpse of end to epidemic
FREETOWN (Reuters) – Here at the front line of the Ebola epidemic, the tide seems to be turning against the disease.
Russian government presents Putin with $21 billion plan to tackle crisis
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian ministers presented President Vladimir Putin with a 1.375 trillion rouble ($21 billion) anti-crisis plan on Wednesday, including 250 billion roubles from the National Wealth fund to help recapitalize state banks.
Delay to Britain’s Iraq War inquiry report causes outcry
LONDON (Reuters) – A decision to delay a long-awaited official report into Britain’s role in the Iraq War until after a general election in May drew accusations of a whitewash on Wednesday and demands for British voters to be given its findings.
One arrested after hazmat, explosives teams deployed at Ottawa hotel
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Ottawa police said one man was arrested “without incident” on Wednesday after a hotel was evacuated overnight and hazardous materials and explosives teams deployed to the site.
Ahead of vote, UK’s opposition Labour gets lowest poll score since 2010
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s left-wing opposition Labour Party on Wednesday scored its lowest YouGov poll rating since it was voted out of power in 2010, a setback to its morale before an election in which it is hoping to unseat Prime Minister David Ca…
