U.S. offers help to South East Asia, most to Vietnam, to patrol seas
HANOI (Reuters) – The United States on Monday offered $32.5 million in assistance to Southeast Asian nations, more than half to Vietnam, to boost maritime security, which comes as tension grows with China over rival claims in the South China Sea.
Frustrated with government, Pakistani man turns to Taliban for help
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) – Frustrated with the government’s inability to help him, a man in Pakistan has appealed to Taliban warlords to rescue his 11-year-old son kidnapped by criminals more than a month ago.
South Sudan declares curfew after troops clash around capital
JUBA (Reuters) – The South Sudanese president declared a curfew in the capital Juba on Monday after clashes overnight between rival factions of soldiers.
Pakistani Shi’ite cleric shot dead in reprisal attack
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – A prominent Pakistani Shi’ite Muslim cleric has been shot dead in what Taliban militants said was a reprisal attack for the killing of Sunni Muslims a month ago.
For Philippine typhoon survivors, Christmas brings hope amid the rubble
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines (Reuters) – Thousands of survivors of super typhoon Haiyan walked in darkness towards damaged churches in central Philippines at the start of Christmas vigil dawn masses on Monday, clinging to their faith as they struggle to …
Turkish court rejects requests to free Kurdish lawmakers
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – A Turkish court on Monday rejected bids by two Kurdish lawmakers to be released from lengthy pre-trial detention, a move that could undermine confidence in a fragile peace process with Kurdish militants.
Russia says kills leader of Caucasus militant group, three others
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian security forces have killed four alleged militants including the leader of a group suspected of carrying out attacks on tourists and ski facilities in the North Caucasus, a government agency said on Monday.
EU says door remains open to Ukraine as unity cracks
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Divisions emerged in the European Union’s policy towards Ukraine on Monday as the Dutch foreign minister slapped down a senior EU official for announcing on Twitter that he had suspended work on a trade agreement with Kiev.
U.N. seeks $6.5 billion for Syria crisis in 2014
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations appealed for $6.5 billion for Syria and its neighbors on Monday to help 16 million people next year, many of them hungry or homeless victims of a 33-month-old conflict that has no end in sight.
Insight: In Greece, fish farms a testing ground for economic revival
SOFIKO, Greece (Reuters) – Greek fish farmer John Stephanis has a problem. Global demand for his sea bass and bream is strong. But his company Selonda Aquaculture SA is so strapped for cash that it cannot expand its farms. One solution, says Stephanis,…
