Indonesia's haze pollution defenses inadequate, green group says

Indonesia's promises to tackle the upcoming annual haze season with a $30 million fund and limited military equipment have been called into question by experts anticipating worse pollution levels than last year as a result of the El Nino weather pattern.

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Ukraine president sets out unilateral cease-fire plan

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko set out proposals on Wednesday for a peace plan for eastern Ukraine involving a unilateral cease-fire by government forces. The announcement came after a late-night telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which the possibility of a cease fire was discussed.

Mortar fire kills Russian journalists

Two Russian journalists for a Russian state-owned TV channel died on Tuesday in eastern Ukraine after being hit by mortar fire, the Rossiya 24 network said.

US commandos capture Libya attack 'ringleader'

US commandos have captured the suspected ringleader of a deadly 2012 attack on a US compound in the Libyan city of Benghazi, in a raid hailed by the White House as a triumph for justice.

Bomb plot defendant denied files by court

Lawyers for a man accused of plotting to bomb a Chicago bar have been barred by a US federal court from seeing documents relating to his case that are classified under a recent US spying law.

Thailand and Cambodia to quash crackdown 'rumors'

Thailand and Cambodia agreed on Tuesday to quash "rumors" of a crackdown against illegal migrant workers by the new Thai government after the exodus of nearly 180,000 Cambodian laborers.

Fraud claim mars Afghan voting

Afghan election authorities rejected fraud allegations against top officials on Monday after front-running presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah unleashed accusations that could threaten a smooth transition of power.

Sweden returns pre-Incan funeral shroud to Peru

A rare and fragile pre-Incan funeral shroud was displayed to reporters on Monday, part of the first batch of ancient Paracas textiles that Sweden is returning to Peru 80 years after they were smuggled out by a diplomat.

Ecuador: US scientists unethically sold blood

US scientists took thousands of unauthorized blood samples from an indigenous group known for a unique genetic profile and disease immunity, and some of the samples have been sold, Ecuador charged on Monday.

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Iranian general aiding militias in Iraq

In a sign of Iran's deepening involvement in the Iraqi crisis, the commander of Teheran's elite Quds Force is helping Iraq's military and Shiite militias gear up to fight the Sunni insurgents advancing across the country, officials said on Monday.