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Hagel plans Israel visit to boost defence ties: ministry

March 20, 2013 09:01
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel plans to visit the Jewish state in April to boost cooperation between the two countries, Israel's defence ministry said on Wednesday. The plans were discussed during a telephone conversation between Hagel and new Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon, who took up the position on Monday, a ministry statement said. "Defence Secretary Hagel congratulated Minister Yaalon on his appointment as defence minister. Minister Yaalon also congratulated Defence Secretary Hagel on his new position, and on his intention to visit Israel next month."

Hagel plans Israel visit to boost defence ties: ministry

March 20, 2013 09:01
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel plans to visit the Jewish state in April to boost cooperation between the two countries, Israel's defence ministry said on Wednesday. "Minister (Moshe) Yaalon congratulated Defence Secretary Hagel on his appointment and on his intention to visit Israel next month," in a telephone conversation, the ministry said in a statement. The statement quoted Hagel as saying that he "felt high about the security and strategic relations between the two countries" and wanted "strengthening of cooperation between the two defence systems."

Pentagon chief orders review of sexual assault case

March 12, 2013 17:45
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of US military law and of a sexual assault case in which an Air Force general overturned a fellow officer's conviction, the Pentagon said Tuesday. The move came after an outcry from lawmakers and rights advocates over the case of Lieutenant Colonel James Wilkerson, whose conviction on sexual assault charges and one-year prison sentence was tossed out last month by a senior commander, which is permitted under the military's code.

WORLD-NEWS-SCHEDULE AT 1900 GMT/3 PM ET

March 11, 2013 15:15
Editor: David Storey + 1 202 789 8015 Global Picture Desk: + 65 6870 3775 Global Graphics Desk: + 65 6870 3595 (All times GMT/ET) TOP STORIES Kenya chief justice pledges fair hearing for election challenge

As Afghan trip goes badly off script, cautious Hagel focuses on U.S. troops

March 11, 2013 12:00
By Phil Stewart KABUL, March 11 (Reuters) - It was a harrowing international debut for Chuck Hagel, whose first trip to Afghanistan as U.S. defense secretary went dramatically off-script and challenged the American narrative about the 11-year-old war.

Hagel's re-introduction to Afghan war begins with bombing

March 9, 2013 15:16
* Hagel on first trip abroad as U.S. defense secretary * Last visit to Afghanistan was with then-Senator Obama * Suicide bomb killed nine outside Afghan defense ministry By Phil Stewart KABUL, March 9 (Reuters) - Chuck Hagel's first full day in Afghanistan as U.S. defense secretary began with the sound of a suicide bombing about a kilometre away from one of his morning briefings.

Blast heard in Kabul during Hagel visit

March 9, 2013 01:00
KABUL, March 9 (Reuters) - A blast was heard in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday during a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. The explosion was heard near the Afghan Defence Ministry, said a defence official. An ISAF spokesman said Hagel was nowhere near the explosion. (Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)

AFP World News Agenda

March 8, 2013 17:30
What's happening around the world on Saturday: -- TOP STORIES -- + US Defense Secretary Hagel in surprise Afghanistan visit + UN hopes for Syria ceasefire to free peacekeepers + Kenya election results expected + Following after North Korea issues fresh nuclear threats KABUL: US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel begins his first visit to Afghanistan since taking office last week, with the scheduled troop withdrawal high on his agenda. No announced itinerary. (AFGHANISTAN-US-DIPLOMACY-UNREST)

UPDATE 2-Hagel makes first Afghan trip as U.S. defence chief

March 8, 2013 13:00
* Hagel's trip will be closely scrutinised by Republicans * First trip after bitter confirmation battle * Will meet Karzai and talk to U.S. commanders and troops (Adds quotes, details) By Phil Stewart KABUL, March 8 (Reuters) - Chuck Hagel arrived in Afghanistan on Friday for his first trip abroad as U.S. defence secretary, seeking to make his own assessment of America's longest war as it enters its final stretch.

US Defense Secretary Hagel in Kabul on surprise visit

March 8, 2013 12:45
New US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel landed in Afghanistan on Friday on an unannounced visit nine days after he was sworn into office, vowing to ensure a successful withdrawal of international troops. Hagel arrived in Kabul as the US-led military coalition prepares to pull out by the end of next year and leave Afghan security forces to battle the Taliban insurgency that has raged across the south and east of the country.
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