Pentagon chief Hagel in Pakistan for talks on security, drones
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel discussed the use of U.S. drones against militants in remote areas of Pakistan on Monday during the first visit by a Pentagon chief to the South Asian ally in almost four years.
North Korea says Kim’s powerful uncle dismissed for ‘criminal acts’
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea on Monday excoriated Jang Song Thaek, the uncle of leader Kim Jong Un, for what it described as a slew of criminal acts, confirming the spectacular downfall of the once second most powerful man in the reclusive state.
French nuclear power here to stay, says industry minister
PARIS (Reuters) – Nuclear power will always provide at least half of France’s electricity, the country’s industry minister was reported as saying in China on Sunday, defying calls by the green arm of the government to exit nuclear altogether.
Analysis: ‘Brussels consensus’ widens gulf with EU electorates
PARIS (Reuters) – Call it the Brussels Consensus. A system of beliefs rooted in European Union treaties helps explain the growing gulf between policy elites and ordinary citizens that may cause a political earthquake in European Parliament elections ne…
Kurdish militants free four abducted Turkish soldiers
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Four Turkish soldiers abducted by Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants were released early on Monday in southeast Turkey’s Diyarbakir province after Kurdish politicians intervened on their behalf, security sources told…
Yemen LNG evacuates some staff after minor explosion
ABU DHABI/PARIS (Reuters) – Yemen LNG has evacuated some foreign staff after an explosion last week at its plant at Balhaf, a company employee and a spokesman for French stakeholder Total said.
Venezuela ruling party leads local polls – officials
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s ruling Socialist Party won a majority of votes in Sunday’s local elections, giving a major boost to President Nicolas Maduro in his quest to preserve the socialist legacy of his late mentor Hugo Chavez, officials said.
Singapore hit by rare outbreak of rioting, 27 arrested
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – A crowd of around 400 people set fire to vehicles and clashed with police in the Indian district of Singapore late on Sunday after a man was hit and killed by a bus, the first major riot in the city-state for more than 40 years.
U.N. inspectors visit Iranian site linked to nuclear program
DUBAI (Reuters) – U.N. inspectors visited an Iranian plant on Sunday linked to a planned heavy-water reactor that could yield nuclear bomb fuel, taking up an initial offer by Tehran to open its disputed nuclear program to greater scrutiny.
Spain PM urges greater European integration
MADRID (Reuters) – Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy urged more unity for Europe and said a banking union for the region should be finalised this month, El Pais reported in an interview published on its website late on Sunday.
