Putin names general, new minister to insurgency-ridden Caucasus
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday replaced a former businessman with a military general as his envoy to the North Caucasus region, signaling a more hawkish approach to battling an Islamist insurgency there.
Afghan fighting worsens as foreign troops withdraw: report
KABUL (Reuters) – Taliban militants launched a declared summer offensive across Afghanistan on Monday and a prominent think-tank forecast a bloody future as foreign combat forces prepare to leave.
Ukraine separatists appeal to Moscow for absorption into Russia
DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) – The Ukrainian separatist region of Donetsk appealed to Moscow on Monday to consider its absorption into the Russian Federation to “restore historic justice”.
Ukrainian separatist leader says looking to union with Russia
DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) – One of the leaders of eastern Ukraine’s separatist rebellion said on Monday that joining the Russian Federation would probably be an “appropriate step” following a weekend referendum on self-rule.
China’s defense minister urges tighter security on southern border
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s defense minister urged the military to step up border security during a tour of Yunnan province which abuts Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, in comments that underscore government jitters over the southwest region’s stability.
U.N. watchdog seeks to advance Iran nuclear inquiry in talks
VIENNA (Reuters) – The U.N. nuclear watchdog and Iran began talks on Monday ahead of a deadline later this week for Tehran to provide information about the development of detonators that can be used to help set off an atomic device.
Arrests, corruption probe, cast cloud over Italy’s Expo 2015
MILAN (Reuters) – The arrest of seven managers and ex-members of parliament over alleged attempts to influence public tenders for Milan’s Expo 2015 has cast a shadow over Italy’s plans to stage an international showcase event and help kick-start the ec…
South Sudan president says planned 2015 election to be delayed
JUBA (Reuters) – South Sudan will postpone a presidential election set for 2015 as the country’s warring factions will need time to reconcile, President Salva Kiir said, with a vote possibly taking place as late as 2018.
UK needs new watchdog for its spies, ex-MI6 chief says
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain should create a new body to oversee its intelligence agencies to reassure the public after revelations from ex-U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, the former head of the British foreign intelligence service said on M…
Turkish PM signals to intensify state purge ahead of expected presidential bid
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, expected to run for president in August, has signaled that he will intensify a purge of state institutions to curb the influence of an Islamic cleric he accuses of trying to topple him.
