New Zealand hit by quake of magnitude 6.9, minor damage
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck New Zealand on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey’s monitoring service reported, but there were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries.
In Kerry’s Mideast announcement, hints of success and challenge
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – When Secretary of State John Kerry announced on Friday that Israel and the Palestinians had tentatively agreed to resume peace talks after three years, he did so standing alone as dusk fell over the Jordanian capital.
Islamist rebels would gain sway in long Syrian war: U.S. official
ASPEN, Colo. (Reuters) – – Radical Islamist rebels will gain sway over the many disparate factions opposing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad unless they are checked, and the country’s civil war could last years, a top Pentagon intelligence official sai…
In Cambodia poll, opposition hopes high but Hun Sen seen retaining power
TUOL TACHEN, Cambodia (Reuters) – After 28 years of rule by Hun Sen, Asia’s longest-serving prime minister, the rallying cry for Cambodia’s opposition ahead of next week’s election is obvious, and it appears to be attracting an unprecedented number of …
Colombia’s FARC says holding U.S. soldier, willing to release
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s FARC rebels said they were holding a U.S. soldier captured a month ago, but were willing to release him to a humanitarian commission as they pursue peace talks with the Colombian government.
Divided Belgium to swear in new king
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Belgium will swear in a new king on Sunday with festivities but also questions over the political influence of the monarch and the acceptance of Philippe as the king of all Belgians.
UK mosque bombing suspect also accused of Muslim man’s murder
LONDON (Reuters) – A Ukrainian man, detained this week over the bombing of mosques in central England, has also been accused of the murder of an elderly Muslim man stabbed to death on his way home from evening prayers three months ago, police said on S…
Islamist-Kurdish fighting spreads in rebel-held Syria
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Clashes between Islamist rebel forces and Kurdish militias spread to a second Syrian province on Saturday, activists said, as factional tensions rose in the north of the country.
New Egyptian PM seeks dialogue, end to divisions
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s interim prime minister appealed on Saturday for an end to the nation’s divisions following the overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi and said tough measures might be needed to revive the economy.
Israel, Palestinians still at odds over borders ahead of talks
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel will not bow to the Palestinians’ demand on the borders of their future state before peace talks begin but will meet their request for the release of some prisoners, Israeli officials said on Saturday.
