Syria-linked militants release Lebanese soldier: sources, media
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Islamist militants have released a Lebanese soldier they seized last month from a town at the border with Syria where they have clashed with the Lebanese army, security sources and state media said on Wednesday.
In attack by al Qaeda, lines blur between Pakistan’s military, militants
KARACHI Pakistan/ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Months after Owais Jakhrani was sacked from the Pakistan navy for radical Islamist views, he led an audacious mission to take over a warship and turn its guns on a U.S. naval vessel in the open seas.
U.S. sends ‘Ironhorse’ tanks to NATO’s nervous Baltic front line
WASHINGTON/RIGA (Reuters) – U.S. troops and tanks will deploy across the three Baltic states and Poland in the next two weeks on a mission designed to deliver an unmistakeable message of NATO resolve to Moscow.
Indonesia inaugurates parliament likely to curb Widodo’s reforms
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia inaugurated a new, opposition-dominated parliament on Wednesday, one that is expected to obstruct incoming president Joko Widodo’s ambitious reforms for Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.
Egypt offers military training to Libya, cites Islamic State threat
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt has offered to train pro-government forces battling rival armed groups in Libya, stepping up efforts to eradicate what it says is a threat to its own stability from the anarchy engulfing its neighbor.
Amid differences, Israel’s Netanyahu to seek reassurances from Obama on Iran
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu meet for a new round in their often-tense relationship on Wednesday, facing differences over Iran diplomacy and Middle East peace efforts as well as complications from the U.S.-led fight against Islamic State militants.
Australia passes security law, raising fears for press freedom
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The first of a series of security powers requested by Australia’s government to combat Islamist militants passed through parliament on Wednesday, despite criticism that they could land journalists in jail for reporting on national se…
Mexico conservative party leader Madero stands down temporarily
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – The leader of Mexico’s biggest opposition party is stepping aside temporarily to seek a congressional seat next year at which time he could resume his post as party leader.
Obama, Modi work to deepen improving U.S.-India ties
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed on Tuesday to deepen U.S.-Indian cooperation on maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation in what amounts to a response to China’s naval muscle-fl…
Exclusive: U.S. to pay $300 million to end Brazil cotton trade dispute – officials
BRASILIA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States will pay Brazilian cotton producers $300 million to settle a decade-old dispute over cotton subsidies, two officials familiar with the settlement said on Tuesday, the first concrete step to repair ties …
