Islamists sought to turn Lebanon into Iraq: army chief
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Islamic State insurgents who seized a Lebanese border town this month planned to turn Lebanon into another Iraq by unleashing sectarian war between Sunnis and Shi’ites that would have endangered the nation’s very existence, the army …
Afghan trade to rebound sharply once election deadlock over, officials say
KABUL (Reuters) – Uncertainty over Afghanistan’s bitterly contested presidential election has helped drive a 20 percent drop in exports this year but Afghan trade officials say they expect revenue to rebound once a deadlock between rivals is resolved.
World Bank again criticized for investments in Honduras
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The World Bank’s private sector arm did not pay enough attention to environmental and social risks when it lent to Honduras’ largest bank, Ficohsa, an internal bank watchdog said on Monday.
U.S. to bolster air, navy activity in northern Australia: source
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The United States will bolster its air and navy presence in northern Australia, a source said on Tuesday, under a plan to strengthen defense ties with its regional ally and project more power into the Asia-Pacific, where China’s infl…
Power struggle on Baghdad streets as Maliki replaced but refuses to go
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s president named a new prime minister to end Nuri al-Maliki’s eight-year rule on Monday, but the veteran leader refused to go after deploying militias and special forces on the streets, creating a dangerous political showdown …
Israelis, Palestinians begin new talks to end Gaza war
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli and Palestinian negotiators resumed indirect talks mediated by Egypt on Monday to end a month-old Gaza war, Egypt’s state news agency said, after a new 72-hour truce held for a day.
Russia sending aid convoy to Ukraine despite Western warnings of ‘invasion pretext’
BRUSSELS/DONETSK (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Monday Russia is sending an aid convoy to eastern Ukraine despite urgent Western warnings against using humanitarian help as a pretext for an invasion.
Mexican president signs landmark energy reform into law
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Monday signed a package of laws that will serve as a rule book for comprehensive energy reform designed to lure billions of dollars in investment to the country’s ailing oil, gas and elect…
U.S. to monitor South China Sea for de-escalation after China rebuff
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The United States will monitor the South China Sea to see whether “de-escalatory steps” are being taken, a U.S. State Department official said on Monday, a day after China resisted pressure to rein in actions in the disputed waters.
FARC chief says Colombia peace deal unlikely this year
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia is unlikely to sign a peace accord with Marxist rebels this year as the remaining items on the negotiating agenda are complex and time consuming, FARC guerrilla leader Rodrigo Londono said.
