Turkish forces push into Syria, clash with Kurdish militia
AZAZ, Syria (Reuters) – Turkish ground forces advanced into northern Syria’s Afrin region on Sunday, Ankara said after launching artillery and air strikes on a U.S.-backed Kurdish militia it aims to sweep from its border.
Spurned by Trump, Europeans ponder how to meet Iran ultimatum
PARIS/BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A day before Donald Trump’s Jan. 12 ultimatum to “fix” the Iran nuclear deal, European powers met Iran’s foreign minister to show support for it, but the effort failed to soften Trump’s aversion to the accord, U.S….
Jordan’s king tells Pence U.S. must rebuild trust after Jerusalem decision
AMMAN (Reuters) – Jordan’s King Abdullah told U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday he looked to Washington to rebuild “trust and confidence” in moving toward a two-state solution in Israel after President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the co…
At least 19 dead after overnight battle at Kabul hotel
KABUL (Reuters) – Gunmen in army uniforms who stormed Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel late on Saturday and battled Afghan Special Forces through the night killed at least 19 people and wounded 12 more, although the final toll of dead and wounded may sti…
Mines still claim legs and lives in Libya’s Benghazi, months after war ceased
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – As military deminers warily picked their way through streets wrecked by war in Benghazi, a loud blast rang out – a familiar sound in the Libyan city, areas of which are riddled with deadly explosives and booby traps.
Kremlin: no talks yet about any new Putin-Trump meeting: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – There are no talks yet about any potential new meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on Sunday by state run RIA news agency.
German SPD leader urges party to back coalition talks with Merkel
BONN (Reuters) – Social Democrat (SPD) leader Martin Schulz appealed to his divided party on Sunday to back formal coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, a move that would bring Germany a step closer to a stable government.
Iran’s Rouhani says wants to improve ties with Iraqi Kurds
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday called for boosting relations with the Iraqi Kurdish region as part of a united Iraq, Iranian media reported, after ties were strained over an independence referendum in the area last year.
German SPD leader implores party to back coalition talks with Merkel
BONN (Reuters) – Social Democrat leader Martin Schulz made an impassioned appeal to his party on Sunday to give the go-ahead for formal coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, a move that would bring Germany a step closer to a st…
Why is Jerusalem so central to Pence’s Middle East visit?
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Mike Pence’s planned trip to Israel on Sunday has been overshadowed by President Donald Trump’s announcement last month that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and will start the p…
