Mosul falls to militants, Iraqi forces flee northern city
MOSUL Iraq (Reuters) – An al Qaeda splinter group seized control of the Iraqi city of Mosul on Tuesday, putting security forces to flight in a spectacular show of strength against the Shi’ite-led Baghdad government.
China downplays visit of Taiwan African ally that upsets Taipei
BEIJING (Reuters) – China shrugged off Taiwan’s concern over the visit of the president of Taiwan diplomatic ally Sao Tome and Principe on Wednesday, saying it was a private visit and that not too much should be read into it.
Philippines captures top al Qaeda-linked militant
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine security forces captured on Wednesday a top al Qaeda-linked Islamist wanted by the United States and involved in the kidnapping of Western tourists, and hailed the arrest as a major blow to his militant network.
Japan blasts Chinese bid for U.N. recognition of Nanjing massacre
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan protested to China on Wednesday after Beijing applied for the inclusion of the 1937 Nanjing massacre and the “comfort women” forced to work in wartime military brothels in a UNESCO program, the latest flare-up of tensions in rel…
Australia says seeking military technology cooperation with Japan
TOKYO (Reuters) – Australia wants greater military technology cooperation with Japan, and in talks between the two on Wednesday, wants to take a step paving the way for a possible agreement for Japan to supply it with stealth submarine designs, Austral…
After Ukraine, U.S. trains more special forces in eastern Europe
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – As NATO refocuses on its eastern borders after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the United States is quietly deploying more troops to train special forces in former Soviet bloc states anxious about Moscow’s intentions.
East African bloc threatens South Sudan’s feuding sides with sanctions
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – East African states threatened on Tuesday to slap South Sudan’s warring sides with sanctions unless they cease all military operations in a conflict which has sparked fears that it could spiral into genocide.
Hearing fails to calm anger over deal to free Bergdahl
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A closed-door congressional hearing on the release of Bowe Bergdahl failed to calm Republican anger on Tuesday over the administration’s secretive deal to trade five Taliban leaders held at Guantanamo for the U.S. prisoner of war…
After Ukraine, U.S. trains more special forces in eastern Europe
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – As NATO refocuses on its eastern borders after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the United States is quietly deploying more troops to train special forces in former Soviet bloc states anxious about Moscow’s intentions.
Brazil’s Rousseff loses support ahead of October vote: poll
RIO DEIRO (Reuters) – Support for President Dilma Rousseff continues to slip ahead of October’s elections, according to a poll released Tuesday, but she remains comfortably ahead of her two main rivals.
