Asia readies food security defenses against El Nino threat
JAKARTA/MANILA (Reuters) – Asia’s governments are scrambling to head off the potential impact of a weather phenomenon that in the past has driven food prices to levels that sparked social unrest.
Hamas and Fatah say agree on Palestinian national unity government
GAZA (Reuters) – Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas agreed on the make-up of a national unity government on Tuesday in the most significant step yet toward healing their seven-year rift.
Scottish nationalists get new weapon in battle for independence: Europe
EDINBURGH (Reuters) – A surge in Euroscepticism in England has handed secessionists in Scotland a new weapon in their battle to break away from the United Kingdom: a warning that only independence can keep Scotland inside the European Union.
Vietnam, China trade barbs after Vietnamese fishing boat sinks
HANOI/BEIJING (Reuters) – Vietnam and China traded accusations on Tuesday over the sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat not far from where China has parked an oil rig in the disputed South China Sea, as tensions fester between the two countries over th…
German opposition to Turkey’s EU membership rises: poll
BERLIN (Reuters) – A growing majority of Germans are opposed to Turkey entering the European Union, according to a poll published days after Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan made a controversial speech to Turks in Cologne.
Thai army gets down to work on economy, stifles dissent
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s military rulers settled down to work at their Bangkok headquarters on Tuesday, firmly in charge with royal endorsement but facing small protests that the security forces have handled with restraint.
Belgian king asks separatist chief to lead coalition talks
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Belgium’s King Philippe appointed Flemish separatist leader Bart De Wever on Tuesday to lead talks to form a government although his chances of getting French-speaking parties to work with him look limited.
Canadian Hezbollah commander killed fighting rebels in Syria: sources
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A senior Lebanese-Canadian commander in the Shi’ite Muslim militant group Hezbollah has been killed in Syria where he was fighting alongside Syrian government troops against rebels, security sources and a monitoring group said on Tue…
Modi tells Pakistani PM to prevent terrorism against India
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s new prime minister, Narendra Modi, told his Pakistani counterpart on Tuesday that Pakistan must prevent militants from using its soil to attack India, suggesting a tough approach that will undermine hopes in Pakistan for m…
Despair and dread grip Syrian refugees on election’s eve
ANJAR Lebanon (Reuters) – A little over a week ago, Syrian refugees began to notice men going around the camps in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, asking who wanted to vote for president and taking down names.
