Russia’s Putin wants beefed-up presence in Arctic
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia should step up its presence in the Arctic and challenge other nations in exploring the world’s largest untapped natural reserves, days after it started shipping its first oil from …
Israel must take on Palestinian governance if talks fail: Abbas
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas told a group of Israeli journalists on Tuesday that if peace talks do not continue, Israel will have to take on the burden of governing Palestinian lands.
UK’s anti-EU party launches European election campaign amid racism row
LONDON (Reuters) – British anti-EU party UKIP launched its campaign for next month’s European elections on Tuesday and fended off accusations that its posters were racist and its anti-immigration rhetoric hypocritical.
Obama, Abe under pressure to salvage signature Pacific trade pact
WASHINGTON/TOKYO (Reuters) – A meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe this week in Tokyo may not seal one of the world’s biggest trade pacts, but it could give it a much-needed boost.
South Sudan peace talks delayed as rebels deny massacre
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Peace talks with South Sudan’s rebels have been delayed again, the government said on Tuesday, a day after the United Nations accused rebel fighters of massacring civilians in an oil town they had seized.
Prelate exonerates John Paul of turning blind eye to abuse case
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The Catholic prelate who led the campaign to make the late Pope John Paul a saint exonerated the pontiff on Tuesday against accusations he turned a blind eye to one of the Church’s biggest sexual abuse scandals.
India’s Modi slams anti-Muslim remarks, ally remains defiant
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian opposition leader Narendra Modi sought to calm fears for religious minorities under his rule on Tuesday, saying he would represent all Indians if they voted for him or not in the current general election.
Japanese minister, MPs visit Yasukuni Shrine on eve of Obama visit
TOKYO (Reuters) – A Japanese cabinet minister and about 150 lawmakers visited Yasukuni Shrine, seen by critics as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism, on Tuesday, sparking anger among Asian neighbors and U.S. frustration a day before U.S. President Bar…
German minister unable to meet with Beijing critics during visit
BEIJING (Reuters) – Germany’s Deputy Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel was unable to hold talks with members of Chinese civil society during a visit to Beijing on Tuesday, but declined to comment on why the planned meeting at the German embassy had not taken p…
No winner seen in first round of Lebanon president vote
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A majority of Lebanese parliamentarians may submit blank voting slips on Wednesday in the first ballot for a new president, political sources said, as they struggle to agree on a consensus candidate after months of violence and polit…
