U.S. talks with Iran must be based on concrete steps by Tehran: Kerry
TOKYO (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday that the United States hopes to engage with the new Iranian administration, but Tehran must first prove it is willing to end the stand-off over its nuclear weapons program.
U.S., Japan to modernize alliance to counter 21st century threats
TOKYO (Reuters) – The United States and Japan agreed on Thursday to modernize their defense alliance for the first time in 16 years to address growing concerns about North Korea’s nuclear program, global terrorism, cyber intrusions and other 21st centu…
15 dead in attack on leader of Pakistani anti-Taliban militia
Parachinar, PAKISTAN (Reuters) – At least 15 people were killed in an attack on a pro-government militia commander in Pakistan’s lawless northwestern tribal area on Thursday morning, security forces said.
Insight: Turkey questions its EU future as Brussels looks to Balkans
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Turkey has been trying for years to join the European Union, presenting itself as a growing economic and political power and a bridge to Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
Clashes flare at pro-Mursi march in Egyptian city, one dead
ISMAILIA, Egypt (Reuters) – A high school student was killed when opponents and supporters of deposed Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi clashed in the city of Suez on Wednesday night, medical and security sources said.
Mali president dissolves army reform committee
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Mali’s new president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, on Wednesday dissolved an army reform committee dominated by former members of a military junta after blasting disgruntled officers for staging an unruly protest at a military base earlie…
Brazilian police stop Indians from storming Congress
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian police used pepper spray to stop hundreds of protesting Indians from storming Congress on Wednesday, clamping down on the second day of indigenous rights marches.
Russian Embassy in Libya comes under fire, attack repelled
TRIPOLI/MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s embassy in the Libyan capital of Tripoli came under fire on Wednesday and a group of people tried to force their way into the compound, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Guinea’s ruling party takes early lead in legislative polls
CONAKRY (Reuters) – The party of Guinean President Alpha Conde has taken an early lead, according to the first results from weekend legislative polls published by the elections commission late on Wednesday.
Gambia pulls out of ‘neo-colonial’ Commonwealth
BANJUL (Reuters) – Gambia has withdrawn from the Commonwealth, the 54-member grouping including Britain and most of its former colonies, branding it a “neo-colonial institution,” according to a statement released by the West African nation on Wednesday…




