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 …
Kurds seize Iraq/Syria border post; Sunni tribe joins fight against Islamic State
ARBIL Iraq/MURSITPINAR Turkey (Reuters) – Iraqi Kurdish troops drove Islamic State fighters from a strategic border crossing with Syria on Tuesday and won the support of members of a major Sunni tribe, in one of the biggest successes since U.S. forces …
Brazil’s Rousseff widens lead over Silva in fresh polls
BRASILIA/SAO PAULO (Reuters) – President Dilma Rousseff has solidified her lead over opposition candidate Marina Silva and would win a runoff vote to Brazil’s presidential election, two new polls showed on Tuesday.
Hong Kong protests approach potential National Day flashpoint
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Thousands of pro-democracy protesters thronged the streets of Hong Kong early on Wednesday, ratcheting up pressure on the pro-Beijing government that has called the action illegal and vowed to press ahead with National Day celebra…
