Japan’s Abe appears to have decided on poll: LDP official to media
TOKYO (Reuters) – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears to have decided to call an early election, a senior ruling party lawmaker was quoted as saying on Thursday, as expectations mount the Japanese leader would postpone an unpopular tax hike and go to the…
Ban meets Myanmar officials, says concerned about Rohingya minority
NAYPYITAW Myanmar (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told the Myanmar government on Wednesday he is concerned about the welfare of the country’s Rohingya Muslims and asked officials to ensure access for U.N. agencies delivering humanitarian…
Obama seeks review of Syria strategy, sees Assad removal as necessary: CNN
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama wants his advisers to review the administration’s Syria policy after determining it may not be possible to defeat Islamic State militants without removing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, CNN reported on W…
Stung by sanctions scandal, Cuba defends North Korea at U.N.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Cuba, which was involved in a violation of U.N. sanctions against North Korea last year, has come to the aid of Pyongyang to defend it against a Western-led push to bring its alleged human rights abuses to The Hague, envoys s…
Ukraine redeploys troops, fearing new rebel offensive
KIEV/DONETSK Ukraine (Reuters) – Ukraine said on Wednesday it was redeploying troops in the east because of fears that separatists will launch a new military offensive, despite Russia’s denials it has sent troops to reinforce the rebels.
Doors closing for Syrians seeking refuge abroad: humanitarian agencies
OSLO (Reuters) – Syria’s neighbors Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq are cutting back sharply on the number of Syrians they allow onto their soil as they can no longer cope with the influx of refugees, two prominent humanitarian agencies said on Thursda…
Final deal in Iran nuclear talks unlikely by deadline: sources
NEW YORK/ANKARA (Reuters) – Despite nearly a year of negotiations, Iran and six major powers are unlikely to meet a Nov. 24 deadline to reach a final deal to lift international sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program, officials…
Italy’s Renzi dismisses early election talk, moves closer to vote reform
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said on Wednesday his government would aim to remain in office until 2018, dismissing speculation of early elections, after he moved closer to an agreement on reforms to the electoral law.
Kerry to see Abbas, Jordan’s Abdullah on Jerusalem strife
MUSCAT (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Jordan on Wednesday for talks with Jordanian King Abdullah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about tensions in Jerusalem, the State Department said.
Israel says will not cooperate with U.N. Gaza investigation
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel said on Wednesday it would not cooperate with a United Nations Human Rights Council investigation into this year’s Gaza war because its findings were “pre-determined”.
