China and Japan talk in Myanmar on easing political tensions
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Japan to “make practical efforts to overcome existing political obstacles between the two sides” during an informal meeting with his Japanese counterpart during an ASEAN summit in Myanmar.
Ukrainian rebels say they ready for ceasefire
KIEV (Reuters) – Pro-Russian separatists said on Saturday they were ready for a ceasefire with the Kiev government after increasing gains by Ukrainian forces against rebel forces.
Venezuela to close Colombia border at night to slow smuggling
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela will close its border with neighboring Colombia at night to prevent smuggling of heavily subsidized fuel and food, a top military officer said on Saturday.
No optical illusion: Obama balances world crises with golf, time off
OAK BLUFFS Mass. (Reuters) – President Barack Obama gave Americans an update on U.S. military strikes in Iraq on Saturday from a podium on the White House lawn with Marine One, the presidential helicopter, parked in the background.
Pro-union campaign says sterling not in independent Scotland’s interests
EDINBURGH (Reuters) – A formal currency union would not be in the interests of an independent Scotland, the leader of the campaign to keep the United Kingdom together has said, stepping up pressure on nationalist plans to keep the pound.
Israelis, Gaza militants fight on, defying truce efforts
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel launched more than 30 air attacks in Gaza on Saturday, killing nine Palestinians, and militants fired rockets at Israel as the conflict entered a second month, defying international efforts to revive a ceasefire.
Obama says tackling Iraq’s insurgency will take time
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – President Barack Obama said on Saturday U.S. airstrikes had destroyed arms that Islamic State militants could have used against Iraqi Kurds, but warned there was no quick fix to a crisis that threatens to tear Iraq apart.
Ukrainian rebels say they ready for ceasefire
KIEV (Reuters) – Pro-Russian separatists said on Saturday they were ready for a ceasefire with the Kiev government after increasing gains by Ukrainian forces against rebel forces.
U.S. call for South China Sea ‘freeze’ gets cool response from China
NAYPYIDAW (Reuters) – A U.S. proposal for a freeze on provocative acts in the South China Sea got a cool response from China and some Southeast Asian nations on Saturday, an apparent setback to Washington’s efforts to rein in China’s assertive actions….
Lebanese villagers repel fighters who crossed from Syria -Lebanese sources
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Fighters identified as Islamist militants crossed into Lebanon from Syria on Saturday, triggering an exchange of fire with Lebanese villagers who forced them back across the border, Lebanese security sources and a villager said.
