Russia’s Putin orders military complete Arctic plan by year end
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s military to increase its focus on the Arctic and finish plans by the end of the year to upgrade military bases in the resource-rich region where world powers jostle for control.
Kenya says Somali Islamists kill six in cross-border raid
ISIOLO, Kenya (Reuters) – Four members of Kenya’s police force and two civilians were killed in an ambush on Tuesday by suspected Somali Islamist militants near the Somali border, a senior official said.
U.N. troops start military action against Congo’s Rwandan rebels
KINSHASA (Reuters) – United Nations peacekeeping troops in Democratic Republic of Congo have launched operations against a Rwandan Hutu rebel militia operating along Congo’s border with Rwanda, the U.N. commander said on Tuesday.
Ukraine president digs in heels over Russia ties despite protests
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich gave no ground on Tuesday to protesters who want Kiev to move closer to the European Union, insisting his government needs to deepen trade ties with Russia instead.
U.N. plans first aid airlift to Syria from Iraq as winter grips
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations’ first relief airlift to Syria from Iraq will deliver food and winter supplies to the mostly Kurdish northeast over the next 10 days with the permission of both governments, U.N. aid agencies said on Tuesday.
Italy’s Grillo urges police to join “pitchfork” protests
ROME (Reuters) – The head of Italy’s anti-establishment 5-Star Movement Beppe Grillo urged police on Tuesday to join protesters as a wave of “pitchfork” protests gave vent to bitter frustration after years of austerity and recession.
Most Syrian and Palestinian refugees held in Egypt released
CAIRO (Reuters) – More than 170 Syrian and Palestinian refugees held since October in Egyptian police stations were released on Tuesday and granted temporary permits to stay in Egypt, a government spokesman said.
Analysis: Sudan’s Bashir empowers old army ally, tightens grip
KHARTOUM/CAIRO (Reuters) – Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s appointment of an old military ally as his deputy may shield one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers from risks at home and abroad.
Abu Qatada challenges Jordanian court authority in terrorism trial
AMMAN (Reuters) – Radical Muslim cleric Abu Qatada told a Jordanian court on Tuesday he was not guilty of terrorism charges and he challenged its authority to try him under the terms of his deportation from Britain.
Croatia considers role in destruction of Syrian chemical weapons
ZAGREB (Reuters) – NATO member Croatia may allow the use of its Adriatic ports to load Syria’s deadly chemicals onto a U.S. ship for destruction offshore, Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said on Tuesday.
