Merkel’s conservatives replace farm minister who quit over leak
BERLIN (Reuters) – Angela Merkel’s Bavarian allies chose defense expert Christian Schmidt on Monday to replace the agriculture minister who quit the German chancellor’s cabinet after leaking information about a lawmaker being investigated for possessin…
Peace talks between Pakistan and Taliban collapse after killings
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Peace talks between the Pakistani government and Taliban insurgents broke down on Monday after insurgents said they executed 23 soldiers in revenge for army operations in the volatile tribal regions on the Afghan border.
Georgian court sentences ex-premier to five years in prison
TBILISI (Reuters) – A Georgian court sentenced a former prime minister on Monday to five years in prison for corruption in a verdict that opposition lawmakers branded as part of a government witch-hunt against its foes.
Thai PM under siege, lengthy protests take toll on economy
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Protesters seeking to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra surrounded Thai government headquarters on Monday in response to police efforts to clear them from the streets, as farmers besieged her temporary office to demand payment…
Iran says Russia could build nuclear reactor in exchange for oil
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia could build a second reactor at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant in exchange for Iranian oil, the Iranian ambassador to Moscow said in remarks published on Monday.
Rassoul: U.S.-Afghan strains to ebb as foreign forces withdraw
KABUL (Reuters) – Severe strains in Afghan ties with the United States, the chief backer of the international military mission in Afghanistan, are likely to subside as U.S. and NATO forces depart, a contender in a presidential election in April said.
South Korean court sentences opposition lawmaker for rebellion
SUWON, South Korea (Reuters) – A South Korean court sentenced an opposition member of parliament to 12 years in jail on Monday for plotting a pro-North Korea rebellion, drawing criticism from rights campaigners who said the government was stifling free…
Peace talks between Pakistan and Taliban collapse after killings
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Peace talks between the Pakistani government and Taliban insurgents broke down on Monday, the government said, after insurgents executed 23 paramilitary soldiers in what they said was revenge for army operations in the volatile tr…
Iran’s Khamenei says not optimistic on nuclear talks: IRNA
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday he was not optimistic about upcoming nuclear talks with world powers but was not opposed to them, the official news agency IRNA reported.
China concerned at Japan holding weapons-grade plutonium
BEIJING (Reuters) – China said on Monday it was “extremely concerned” by a report that Japan has resisted returning to the United States more than 300 kg (660 lb) of mostly weapons-grade plutonium, the latest dispute between the two Asian neighbors.
