Pakistani government feels weight of army’s heavy hand
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – At Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s palatial offices in Islamabad this week, the army chief sat down to deliver the head of government a message he did not want to hear: The time for talks with the troublesome Pakistani Tal…
Erdogan visit brings Turkey’s divisions to streets of Cologne
BERLIN (Reuters) – A visit by Tayyip Erdogan to Cologne on Saturday to address thousands of expatriate Turks threatens to bring Turkey’s political tensions to German streets, despite an appeal by Chancellor Angela Merkel for him to adopt a sensitive to…
Clashes in Istanbul kill two as protest anniversary nears
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A second person died on Friday after clashes between Turkish police and protesters in a working-class district of Istanbul, stirring fears of further unrest as the anniversary of last year’s anti-government demonstrations approache…
Russia launches fraud case against backers of Putin critic Navalny
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia opened a fraud case into funding of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny’s campaign for Moscow mayor last year, in what he said was an attempt to intimidate opposition candidates ahead of local city elections.
Twenty Malian soldiers killed in failed assault on rebel town: minister
BAMAKO (Reuters) – About 20 Malian soldiers were killed and 30 wounded in a failed attempt by government forces to retake the Tuareg separatist stronghold of Kidal this week, the defense minister said.
Mozambique’s Renamo opposition leader says to run for president
MAPUTO (Reuters) – Mozambique’s Renamo opposition leader Afonso Dhlakama said on Friday he intended to run as a candidate in an October 15 presidential election, but he demanded safety guarantees from the government to be able to leave his bush hideout…
Egyptian vote set to revive strongman rule
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptians vote next week in an election expected to make former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi president, marking a revival of strongman rule three years after the downfall of Hosni Mubarak.
Russia to complete troop pullback from Ukraine border ‘within days’: deputy defense minister
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia will pull back all forces deployed to regions near its border with Ukraine “within a few days”, its deputy defense minister said on Friday, a move that if carried out could ease tensions before Ukraine’s presidential election …
Russia will respond to increased NATO activity near border – top general
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s top general said on Friday that Moscow would retaliate against increased NATO activity near its border as tensions with the western alliance over Ukraine escalate.
Russian Energy Minister says ExxonMobil, Shell committed to Russia
ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) – Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday that oil majors Royal Dutch Shell and Exxon Mobil have confirmed their commitment to Russia and are eager to continue their work there.
