Turkey, Iran, Russia say will work for stability in Syria
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey, Iran and Russia pledged on Wednesday to accelerate efforts to bring stability to Syria, underlining their joint commitment to the country a day after President Donald Trump raised the prospect of withdrawing U.S. troops.
U.S. makes decision on troops in Syria: intelligence chief
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. intelligence chief said on Wednesday that a decision had been made on the future of American troops in war-torn Syria and the White House would make it public soon.
Austria’s government aims to ban headscarves in kindergarten
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austria’s right-wing government announced plans on Wednesday to ban girls from wearing headscarves in kindergarten and primary schools to combat what it sees as a threat to Austrian mainstream culture from some Muslims.
Rights groups pressure Macron ahead of Saudi prince visit to France
PARIS (Reuters) – Ten rights groups urged French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday to use a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to press him to end a blockade of Yemeni ports and work for a diplomatic solution to the conflict there.
Islamic State militants renew loyalty pledge to ‘caliph’ Baghdadi
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Islamic State militants have restated their loyalty to the group’s leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in what is believed to be their first public pledge of allegiance to him since his “caliphate” in Syria and Iraq collapsed last year.
U.S.-designated ‘terrorists’ vow to run in Pakistan elections
KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) – A Pakistani political party placed on the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations vowed on Wednesday to continue its political activities and participate in upcoming elections.
Russia short of foreign policy options if bet on Trump fails
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia long saw Donald Trump as the wild card in its strategy to improve relations with the United States.
Iraqi ex-soldiers make miniature models to stay in touch with army days
KERBALA, Iraq (Reuters) – A small group of Iraqis including a soldier who fought in the civil war have turned to model making to deal with their memories of conflict and maintain touch with the military phase of their lives.
Russian rocket tests force partial closing of Baltic Sea, airspace
RIGA (Reuters) – Russia began testing missiles with live munitions in the Baltic Sea on Wednesday, alarming Latvia, a member of NATO, which says the drills have forced it to partly shut down Baltic commercial airspace.
Russian proposal for joint Salisbury toxin inquiry ‘perverse’: Britain
THE HAGUE (Reuters) – Russia’s proposal for a joint inquiry into the poisoning of a former Russian double agent in England is a “perverse” attempt to escape blame, Britain told an emergency meeting on Wednesday of the global chemical weapons watchdog.
