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…
First PLO delegation since 2007 war heads to Gaza for Palestinian unity talks
GAZA (Reuters) – The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) sent a delegation to Gaza on Tuesday to negotiate unity with militant group Hamas for the first time since their 2007 conflict, potentially boosting Fatah leader and Palestinian president Mah…
Uganda says Islamist rebel leader has fled eastern Congo
KAMPALA (Reuters) – The leader of a Ugandan Islamist rebel group has fled his hideout in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after a U.N.-backed offensive destroyed several camps belonging to his militia, Uganda’s military said on Tuesday.
U.S. backs Ukraine, warns Russia with Biden visit
KIEV (Reuters) – In a show of U.S. support for Ukraine’s embattled government, Vice President Joe Biden delivered an aid package on Tuesday and demanded Russia back off but also warned Kiev it must tackle the “cancer of corruption”.
