Reuters: International News

Somali pirates seize Greek carrier: maritime group

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:19:49 -0500

MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) - Somali pirates have seized another ship, a Greek bulk carrier, despite a large international naval presence in the waters off their lawless country, a regional maritime group said on Wednesday.

Congo rebels announce pullback to help peace bid

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:58:55 -0500

LUOFU, Congo (Reuters) - Rebels in east Democratic Republic of Congo announced a military pullback on Tuesday to support a U.N. peace initiative and the government sacked its armed forces chief following a string of defeats.

Iraq PM says pact's critics want U.S. troops to stay

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:41:00 -0500

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday attacked critics of a pact giving U.S. troops three years to leave Iraq, saying they wanted the Americans to stay just so they could agitate against them.

U.S. commander in Afghanistan has reconciliation plan

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:37:24 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan on Tuesday recommended a plan to stem growing violence by empowering local Afghan leaders, including former Taliban members.

China seeks to curb unrest amid finance crisis

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:54:11 -0500

BEIJING (Reuters) - China has told police to ensure stability amid the global financial crisis after thousands rioted in a northwestern city, beating up police and looting offices in the latest of a series of demonstrations nationwide.

Suspected U.S. drone attack kills four in Pakistan

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:21:04 -0500

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - A suspected U.S. drone aircraft fired two missiles at a house in northwestern Pakistan Wednesday, killing at least four suspected foreign militants, intelligence officers and a government official said.

Israel renews blockade of Gaza crossings

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:12:31 -0500

GAZA (Reuters) - Israel resealed border crossings with the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, blaming continued rocket fire at its towns, despite warnings from world aid groups of looming shortages of food and fuel in the coastal territory.

China's Hu puts off Cuba debt payments

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:19:26 -0500

HAVANA (Reuters) - Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed to put off some of Cuba's debt payments and gave the island $80 million for hospital modernization and other projects during a visit on Tuesday to strengthen ties between the Communist-run countries.

North and South Koreans find cause for unity: Japan

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:14:49 -0500

PYONGYANG (Reuters) - It took six decades for the divided Koreas to meet to talk about Japan's colonial past, but it took them just two hours to agree they had common grievances with their Asian neighbor.

Socialism and consumerism rub shoulders in Tripoli

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:17:14 -0500

TRIPOLI (Reuters) - As economic barriers fall between Libya and the West, a boom-town atmosphere fed by the novelty of consumer culture has gripped its capital Tripoli.