Philippines starts inquiry into Filipino militants in Syria
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines is investigating the involvement of Filipino Islamists in the three-year civil war in Syria after two locals were reported killed fighting for Islamic State militant group, an intelligence official said on Saturday.
China’s military secrecy justifies surveillance flights: U.S. official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is justified in carrying out surveillance flights in East Asia, in spite of Chinese objections, given a lack of transparency in China’s military buildup, a senior U.S. official said on Friday.
U.S. intensifies sanctions on Russia over Ukraine
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States hit Russia’s largest bank, a major arms maker and arctic, deepwater and shale exploration by its biggest oil companies with new sanctions on Friday to punish Moscow for its intervention in Ukraine.
China urges central Asian neighbors to step up extremism fight
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s President Xi Jinping urged Central Asian states to step up the fight against religious extremism and cyber terrorism, state media said, as Beijing reaches for help across its borders in addressing security concerns in its re…
Kerry opposes Iran role in anti-Islamic State coalition
ANKARA (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday it was “not appropriate” for Iran to join talks on confronting Islamic State militants, as he appeared to play down how fast countries can commit to force or other steps in an emergin…
Americans back air strikes on Islamic State, wary of long haul: poll
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Americans support President Barack Obama’s campaign of air strikes against Islamic State militants but have a low appetite for a long campaign against the group, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed on Friday.
Islamic State’s Twitter silence raises questions
SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Islamic State’s Twitter users, which have trumpeted the group’s violent acts and world view on the social media service, have gone abruptly quiet in past days.
Toronto mayor Rob Ford withdraws from race, brother steps in
TORONTO (Reuters) – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, who gained global notoriety for admitting he smoked crack cocaine, dropped his re-election bid on Friday, citing a health crisis, but his older brother took his place in the race to run Canada’s largest city….
Canada ratifies China deal, may help smooth relations
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada has finally ratified a foreign investment protection agreement with China after a two-year delay in a step that may help ease tensions between the two countries and smooth the way for a possible visit to China by Prime Ministe…
China’s military secrecy justifies surveillance flights: U.S. official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is justified in carrying out surveillance flights in East Asia, in spite of Chinese objections, given a lack of transparency in China’s military buildup, a senior U.S. official said on Friday.
