US behind curve in online war with IS: experts
Washington (AFP) May 8, 2015 -
The US government is struggling to counter the Islamic State group's fast-paced online propaganda, which played a role in inspiring a failed attack in Texas this week on an exhibit of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.
One of the two gunmen had been in frequent contact via Twitter with an American militant from the IS group who was well known to federal authorities, according to groups tha ...
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US Senate asserts right to review final Iran nuclear deal
Washington (AFP) May 8, 2015 -
The US Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation Thursday giving Congress the right to review and perhaps even reject any nuclear deal with Iran, the culmination of weeks of wrangling over how to hold Tehran to account.
The bill passed 98-1 after overcoming initial objections from President Barack Obama. It comes amid intense negotiations between world powers and Iran on a deal intended to pr ...
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German ships receiving Indra's satellite communications terminals
Madrid (UPI) May 7, 2015 -
Satellite communications terminals are being provided to the German Navy by Spanish electronics firm Indra in partnership with Atlas Elektronik.
Indra said five of its TNX-100 terminals will be manufactured and installed aboard German Braunschweig-class corvettes under the three-year contract, which includes testing, electronic documentation, and crews training services.
"Develop ...
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China's Xi calls Kazakhstan a 'big friend'
Astana, Kazakhstan (AFP) May 7, 2015 -
Chinese President Xi Jinping met his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana Thursday, pledging to further a partnership buoyed by agreements for billions of dollars of Chinese investment in the energy-rich Central Asian state.
Calling Kazakhstan "our big friend", President Xi once again congratulated 74-year-old strongman Nazarbayev on his landslide victory in a one-sided presiden ...
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Pentagon dismisses conspiracies about Texas exercises
Washington (AFP) May 7, 2015 -
The Pentagon on Thursday dismissed conspiracy theories about planned army exercises in Texas, saying there was no plot for a US military takeover of the state as some right-wing bloggers have alleged.
Faced with more than one question about the routine exercises at a press conference, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter sought to defuse a flurry of rumors circulating about the drills.
Asked ...
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Philippines alarmed over China aircraft challenges in disputed sea
Manila (AFP) May 7, 2015 -
The Philippines expressed alarm Thursday over what it said were escalating Chinese efforts to drive off Filipino aircraft from a disputed South China Sea island garrisoned by Manila, in dangerous confrontations.
Rear Admiral Alexander Lopez said seven Filipino patrol planes on separate flights between Thitu island and Chinese-held Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands had been warned to stay away ...
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Modi says China has 'right' to seek regional influence
New Delhi (AFP) May 7, 2015 -
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played down fears over China's growing regional clout ahead of his landmark trip to Beijing, saying the rival Asian powerhouse has a "right" to seek greater influence.
While ties between the nuclear-armed nations have long been strained over a bitter border dispute, China's recent push to forge closer ties with countries in India's backyard has caused ...
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