U.S., Israeli national security advisers discuss Iran nuclear program
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. national security adviser Susan Rice met with her Israeli counterpart, Yossi Cohen, at the White House on Thursday for a discussion on Iran’s nuclear program, among other issues, the White House said.
Australia rules out Sweden for $39 billion submarine contract
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia will not partner with Sweden to build its next-generation submarine fleet, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Friday, narrowing the list of potential partners for the A$50 billion ($39 billion) program to Germany, France an…
French minister visits U.S. Internet firms about militants’ messaging
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – France’s chief internal security official is traveling to California’s Silicon Valley to discuss his government’s concerns about violent jihadist social media messaging with leading tech and Internet companies.
Turkey, U.S. sign deal to train, equip Syrian opposition, official says
ANKARA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and Turkey signed an agreement on Thursday to train and equip moderate Syrian opposition fighters, and Ankara will provide an equal number of trainers to work alongside their American military counterpart…
Moscow court jails Navalny for 15 days, bars him from opposition rally
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Moscow court late on Thursday jailed prominent Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny for 15 days for breaching a law that restricts demonstrations, barring him from a planned rally on March 1.
Venezuela arrests opposition mayor of Caracas: local media
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan security officials on Thursday arrested Caracas metropolitan mayor Antonio Ledezma, an opposition leader and fierce critic of President Nicolas Maduro, witnesses told local media.
After Ukraine mediation, EU looks to embrace Lukashenko
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s hosting of Ukraine peace talks may have a side effect at home – helping thaw relations between the European Union and a man the West calls “Europe’s last dictator”.
U.S. sees Iraqi offensive to retake Mosul in April-May time frame
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – An Iraqi and Kurdish military force of some 20,000 to 25,000 troops is being prepared to recapture the city of Mosul from Islamic State fighters, probably in the April-May time frame, an official at the U.S. Central Command said …
Germany holds up Greek bid for euro zone loan extension
ATHENS/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Germany rejected a Greek proposal for a six-month extension to its euro zone loan agreement on Thursday, saying it was “not a substantial solution” because it did not commit Athens to stick to the conditions of its internati…
Mexico’s top auditor sees consensus for new anti-graft court
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s top auditor is optimistic the country can address a crisis of confidence in its institutions, in part by introducing an independent court to sanction public servants for corruption offenses, he told Reuters on Thursday….
