VAUX-DE-CERNAY, France, March 26 (Reuters) – Foreign ministers from the world’s leading Western democracies meet in France this week against the backdrop of wars in Iranand Ukraine, economic uncertainty, and mounting unease over an increasingly unpredictable U.S. foreign policy. The two-day gathering at the restored 12th-century Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay, about 40 km (25 miles) southwest…
TAIPEI, March 26 (Reuters) – Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo on Thursday indicated the next arms sale package from the United States is on track after the government received a letter of guarantee from Washington, even as the U.S. and Chinese leaders prepare to meet in May. A major U.S. arms package for Taiwan worth…
SEOUL, March 26 (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un welcomed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Pyongyang on Wednesday, North Korean state media KCNA said on Thursday, touting ties between the two close allies of Russia’s Vladimir Putin. When Lukashenko visited Pyongyang’s Kumsusan mausoleum to pay respects to former North Korean leaders, he laid…
WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) – The Pentagon said on Wednesday it had reached framework agreements with BAE, Lockheed and Honeywell to boost production of defense systems and munitions as part of its shift to “wartime footing.” Under the deals, Honeywell Aerospace will “surge production of critical components for America’s munitions stockpile,” as part of a…
MADRID, March 25 (Reuters) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday it was unjust for citizens worldwide to bear the cost of what he called illegal U.S. and Israeli actions in Iran, warning the war was inflicting severe global economic damage, with Spanish firms alone losing 100 billion euros ($116 billion) in under…
ISTANBUL, March 25 (Reuters) – Turkey “is playing a role passing messages” between Iran and the U.S. to encourage de-escalation and direct negotiations, Harun Armagan, vice chair of foreign affairs for President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party, told Reuters on Wednesday. He did not elaborate on the messages but said they were also being conveyed to…
MOSCOW, March 25 (Reuters) – Russia remains in contact with the United States on a possible settlement of the conflict in Ukraine and hopes Washington will continue its mediation efforts, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. “Moscow continues to maintain contact with the Americans through existing channels. We are receiving updates on the situation….
TAIPEI, March 25 (Reuters) – The United States has “quite a high” sense of urgency in helping Taiwan strengthen its military capabilities and is working to help speed up delayed weapons deliveries, the island’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Wednesday. Taiwan, which faces a rising military threat from China, has complained of repeated delays…
LONDON, March 24 (Reuters) – Hundreds of British families will test social media bans, curfews and app time limits to see how they impact children’s sleep, family life and schoolwork, the government said. Britain, like other governments, is considering restricting access to social media for children. Nothing is off the table, it has said, including…
PARIS, March 24 (Reuters) – French media tycoon Vincent Bolloré told lawmakers on Tuesday that he had become the “perfect scapegoat” for what he described as a hostile elite, rejecting accusations that his conservative media empire was waging a political war. The hearing forms part of a parliamentary investigation into France’s public broadcaster, an inquiry…