Islamic State kills villagers as fighting with Syrian army rages near highway
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Islamic State attacked a village near the main road between Aleppo and Homs on Thursday, killing many residents, Syrian state media and a war monitor said.
Hardline prosecutor mounts strong challenge to Iran’s Rouhani
LONDON (Reuters) – Hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi, a harsh critic of the West and the standard bearer of Iran’s security hawks, has drawn on economic discontent to mount an unexpectedly strong challenge to pragmatist Hassan Rouhani in Friday’s presiden…
China, ASEAN agree on framework for South China Sea code of conduct
BEIJING (Reuters) – China and Southeast Asian countries agreed on Thursday to a framework for a long-mooted code of conduct for the disputed South China Sea, China’s Foreign Ministry said.
Scotland should not hold independence referendum until Brexit has played out: May
HALIFAX, England (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday that now was not the time for another Scottish independence referendum and one should not take place until the Brexit process has played out.
New Chinese attack helicopter makes maiden flight
BEIJING (Reuters) – China unveiled an indigenously developed attack helicopter on Thursday as it eyes a lucrative export market and ramps up an ambitious modernization program.
Confidence in new French leaders at its lowest in 20 years: poll
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s new president and prime minister have the lowest public confidence levels for French leaders starting their terms in at least the last 20 years, a poll found on Thursday.
Trump visit seen as long shot to revive Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking
WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Just four months after taking office, Donald Trump will make the earliest foray into Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking by any U.S. president next week. But with mounting obstacles at home and abroad, he faces long odds of succeeding where more experienced predecessors have failed.
Exclusive: Trump campaign had at least 18 undisclosed contacts with Russians: sources
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Michael Flynn and other advisers to Donald Trump’s campaign were in contact with Russian officials and others with Kremlin ties in at least 18 calls and emails during the last seven months of the 2016 presidential race, current and former U.S. officials familiar with the exchanges told Reuters.
Chinese police release video of rights activist to refute torture claim
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese police released a video on Thursday of detained human rights activist Jiang Tianyong to refute what it described as rumors he had been tortured, though Jiang’s wife said the clip had not assuaged fears for her husband’s safe…
U.N. says 200,000 more people could flee Mosul as fighting intensifies
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – The United Nations said on Thursday up to 200,000 more people could flee Mosul as Iraqi forces push into the last districts held by Islamic State militants.
