South Sudan warns U.N. that sanctions could fuel confrontation
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – South Sudan warned the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that imposing sanctions to try to end nearly a year of violence in the world’s youngest state would likely “harden positions toward confrontation rather than c…
Jewish-nation bill frays Israel’s delicate social fabric
KAFR QASSEM, Israel (Reuters) – Israel is poised to pass one of the most divisive laws in its 66-year history, a bill that would declare it the homeland of the Jewish people only — and further alienate its Arab minority.
Bulgarian forces raid homes and mosque, detain prayer leader
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgarian security forces raided over 40 homes and a mosque in southern Bulgaria on Tuesday to seize books and computers in a special operation aimed at uncovering radical Islamist activities.
Islamic State fighters battle Iraqi forces near Baiji refinery
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Islamic State insurgents battled Iraqi forces in the center of Baiji on Tuesday, a week after the army broke their prolonged siege of the country’s largest oil refinery just outside the town, an army officer and residents said.
Kazakhstan on brink of WTO membership deal, Afghanistan in line
GENEVA (Reuters) – The 160-member World Trade Organization is in active discussions with 10 countries aiming to become members, including Kazakhstan and Afghanistan, WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo said in a report on Tuesday.
Exclusive: U.S. to leave more troops in Afghanistan than first planned – sources
KABUL (Reuters) – The United States is preparing to increase the number of troops it keeps in Afghanistan in 2015 to fill a gap left in the NATO mission by other contributing nations, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the situation.
Libyan PM says government responsible for bombing Tripoli airport
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – Libya’s internationally-recognized Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni said his government’s air force was responsible for strikes on the airport of the capital Tripoli, controlled by a rival administration, a statement said o…
Kenya police fire teargas at protest on security at president’s office
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenyan police used teargas to disperse demonstrators shouting “President, Stop the killings!” outside President Uhuru Kenyatta’s offices on Tuesday, in a protest over 28 people killed in a weekend attack claimed by Islamist militant…
Insight: Merkel hits diplomatic dead-end with Putin
BERLIN (Reuters) – After nine months of non-stop German diplomacy to defuse the crisis in Ukraine, Chancellor Angela Merkel decided in mid-November that a change of tack was needed.
France postpones decision on delivery of Mistral carriers
PARIS (Reuters) – France suspended indefinitely on Tuesday delivery of the first of two Mistral helicopter carrier warships to Russia, citing conflict in eastern Ukraine where the West accuses Moscow of fomenting separatism.
