Merkel ally urges Social Democrats to consider new German “grand coalition”
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) should reconsider their opposition to joining a new “grand coalition” with Angela Merkel’s conservatives because Europe needs a stable government in Berlin, a senior ally of the chancellor said on Thu…
Zimbabwe’s Mugabe granted immunity as part of resignation deal: sources
HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwe’s former president Robert Mugabe was granted immunity from prosecution and assured that his safety would be protected in his home country as part of a deal that led to his resignation, sources close to the negotiations said …
PM Hariri urges Lebanese to put country first
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said on Thursday Lebanon’s political crisis was “a wake-up call” for Lebanese with different loyalties to put their country ahead of regional issues.
Iran Guards chief: Disarming Lebanon’s Hezbollah non-negotiable: TV
ANKARA (Reuters) – Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards will play an active role in establishing a lasting “ceasefire” in crisis-hit Syria, its chief commander Mohammad Ali Jafari said, adding that disarming Lebanon’s Hezbollah was non-negotiable, state T…
Turkey to detain 99 suspects in widening post-coup probe: Anadolu
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish authorities issued detention warrants for 99 suspects including doctors and lawyers and have so far detained 78 of them, the state-run Anadolu agency said on Thursday, as part of a widening crackdown since last year’s faile…
No joke: China government warns northern cities to get serious in war on smog
BEIJING (Reuters) – Some northern Chinese cities failed to improve air quality by much last month, hitting the smog-prone region’s overall results in a drive against pollution, the government said as it warned provincial officials to comply with string…
Kuwait’s emir leaves hospital after successful medical tests: agency
DUBAI (Reuters) – Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber al-Sabah was discharged from hospital on Thursday after successful medical tests, state news agency (KUNA) reported, one day after he was admitted following a cold.
Philippines president likely to return police to drugs war soon: spokesman
MANILA (Reuters) – There is a “strong likelihood” Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will lift a suspension on police from his war on drugs, his spokesman said on Thursday, a move likely to alarm activists who accuse police of committing murder under…
Myanmar, Bangladesh to ink Rohingya return deal amid concern over army’s role
NAYPYITAW (Reuters) – Myanmar expects to sign an accord on Thursday over terms for the return of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who have fled to Bangladesh, a government official said, amid concern that Myanmar’s powerful generals could prov…
Iraqi forces launch operation to clear desert bordering Syria of Islamic State
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi forces launched an operation on Thursday to clear the desert bordering Syria of Islamic State, a final campaign to rid Iraq of the militant group, the military said in a statement.
