Afghanistan will sign U.S. security pact, says Germany
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s foreign minister said on Thursday that he had received assurances from Afghan President Hamid Karzai that his country would sign a security deal with the United States that allows Western troops to remain in the country.
Russia’s Putin says supports Sisi’s bid for Egypt presidency
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday threw his weight behind a presidential bid by Egyptian Army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, voicing hope that ties would strengthen after the election.
Pepper spray, chaos in Indian parliament over new state
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s parliament erupted in mayhem on Thursday when a legislator fired pepper spray in the lower house in protest against a bill on a new state.
Israel admits Gaza patients after dispute over ‘Palestine’ logo
GAZA (Reuters) – Israel on Thursday allowed the entry of some 35 Palestinian medical patients from the Gaza Strip after initially barring them because “State of Palestine” had appeared on the letterhead of their application.
U.S. admiral assures Philippines of help in disputed sea
MANILA (Reuters) – The United States will come to the aid of the Philippines in the event of conflict with China over disputed waters in the South China Sea, the commander of the U.S. Navy said on Thursday.
Thai police target human traffickers but rescued Rohingya may face more abuse
SADAO, Thailand (Reuters) – Thai police have announced a new campaign against human traffickers, although the officer in charge said hundreds of recently rescued Rohingya boat people could end up back in the clutches of the regional smuggling networks …
Poland dismisses state road agency chief
WARSAW (Reuters) – Poland’s government on Thursday dismissed the head of the state road agency, who had been at the center of disputes between Poland and international engineering firms over a European-backed road-building program.
Russia says Syria aid draft could open door to military action
MOSCOW/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Russia denounced on Wednesday a Western-Arab draft U.N. Security Council resolution on humanitarian aid access in Syria as a bid to lay the groundwork for military strikes against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s gov…
China, Sri Lanka could sign free trade pact this year
BEIJING (Reuters) – China and Sri Lanka could sign a free trade agreement by the end of the year, state news agency Xinhua cited Sri Lanka’s foreign minister as saying, a move that will help cement Colombo’s growing economic and diplomatic ties with Be…
U.S. envoy meets India’s Modi, signaling end of boycott
GANDHINAGAR, India (Reuters) – With flowers, smiles and handshakes, the U.S. ambassador to India met the Hindu nationalist leader who could be India’s next prime minister on Thursday – a big step towards ending Washington’s shunning of him over sectari…
