Syrian army battles IS attack in Deir al-Zor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian army and its allies fought on Friday to recover ground lost during an Islamic State counterattack in eastern Syria that targeted positions on the road to Deir al-Zor, a commander in the pro-Damascus alliance said.
Blast hits Afghan capital near Shi’ite mosque, causing casualties
KABUL (Reuters) – Suicide attackers hit the Afghan capital Kabul on Friday near a large Shi’ite mosque, causing several casualties, officials and witnesses said.
South Africa court says cannot compel Zuma to set up influence-peddling inquiry
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – A South African High Court ruled on Friday that it could not compel President Jacob Zuma to set up a commission of inquiry into alleged influence-peddling in his government.
More than 60 Rohingya feared drowned as U.S. steps up pressure on Myanmar
COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – More than 60 Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar are believed to have drowned when their boat capsized, the latest victims in what the United Nations says is the world’s fastest-developing refugee em…
Only ‘miracles’ can move Brexit talks forward by October, EU tells Britain
TALLINN (Reuters) – Only “miracles” can move Brexit talks far enough to fulfill Britain’s hopes of launching discussions next month on its future ties with the European Union, the head of the European Commission said on Friday.
How blood money, diplomacy and desperation are reuniting Palestine
GAZA (Reuters) – A decade on, Rawda al-Zaanoun is at last willing to forgive the gunmen who killed her son during the civil war that split Palestine. It has been painful, but she says it is time.
Putin complains Russian media abroad face unacceptable pressure
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin told a meeting of Russia’s Security Council on Friday that Russian media outlets working abroad were facing growing and unacceptable pressure, Dmitry Peskov, his spokesman, said.
Explosion hits Afghan capital Kabul: interior ministry spokesman
KABUL (Reuters) – A explosion was reported on Friday in the Afghan capital of Kabul, a spokesman for the interior ministry said.
Merkel, Macron pledge to lead EU forward post-Brexit
TALLINN (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron won backing from Angela Merkel for plans to reform the European Union after Brexit, founded on what the German chancellor called “intense” cooperation between Paris and Berlin.
Iraq blocks international flights to Kurdistan in retaliation for independence vote
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – International flights to and from Iraq’s Kurdistan region were set to end from 6:00 p.m. (11.00 a.m. ET) on Friday, after the central government imposed a ban in retaliation for the region’s vote for independence.
