U.S. to bolster air, navy activity in northern Australia: source
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The United States will bolster its air and navy presence in northern Australia, a source said on Tuesday, under a plan to strengthen defense ties with its regional ally and project more power into the Asia-Pacific, where China’s infl…
Power struggle on Baghdad streets as Maliki replaced but refuses to go
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s president named a new prime minister to end Nuri al-Maliki’s eight-year rule on Monday, but the veteran leader refused to go after deploying militias and special forces on the streets, creating a dangerous political showdown …
Israelis, Palestinians begin new talks to end Gaza war
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli and Palestinian negotiators resumed indirect talks mediated by Egypt on Monday to end a month-old Gaza war, Egypt’s state news agency said, after a new 72-hour truce held for a day.
Russia sending aid convoy to Ukraine despite Western warnings of ‘invasion pretext’
BRUSSELS/DONETSK (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Monday Russia is sending an aid convoy to eastern Ukraine despite urgent Western warnings against using humanitarian help as a pretext for an invasion.
Mexican president signs landmark energy reform into law
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Monday signed a package of laws that will serve as a rule book for comprehensive energy reform designed to lure billions of dollars in investment to the country’s ailing oil, gas and elect…
U.S. to monitor South China Sea for de-escalation after China rebuff
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The United States will monitor the South China Sea to see whether “de-escalatory steps” are being taken, a U.S. State Department official said on Monday, a day after China resisted pressure to rein in actions in the disputed waters.
FARC chief says Colombia peace deal unlikely this year
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia is unlikely to sign a peace accord with Marxist rebels this year as the remaining items on the negotiating agenda are complex and time consuming, FARC guerrilla leader Rodrigo Londono said.
Kerry condemns South Sudan, rebels as deadline passes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Monday condemned South Sudan’s government and rebels for failing to form a transitional government by Sunday’s deadline, calling it “an outrage and an insult to their citizens.”
Yemeni president vows relentless fight against militants
ADEN (Reuters) – The Yemeni president vowed on Monday a relentless fight against al Qaeda insurgents who killed 14 soldiers last week, as the army dispatched troops and warplanes to try and track down the militants.
NATO chief says will have to decide on Afghan pullout soon
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO will soon be forced to take a decision on a total pullout from Afghanistan unless a deadlock over the country’s election ends and a new president signs an agreement allowing foreign forces to stay, the head of the alliance sai…
