Bill to declare Israel a Jewish state back on national agenda
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s cabinet breathed new life on Sunday into efforts to anchor in law the country’s status as a Jewish state, legislation Palestinians have described as an obstacle to peace.
Merkel’s conservatives thump rivals in German regional vote
BERLIN/KIEL, Germany (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives won a decisive victory over their Social Democrat (SPD) rivals in a vote in Germany’s northern state of Schleswig-Holstein on Sunday, boosting her prospects of winning a national…
Syrian army advances despite deal to cut violence, monitor says
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian army seized control of the village of al-Zalakiyat north of Hama on Sunday amid a heavy bombardment, a war monitor reported, despite a deal brokered by Russia, Syria’s main foreign backer, to reduce fighting.
‘Welcome our dear girls’, Nigeria’s Buhari tells freed Chibok girls
ABUJA (Reuters) – A group of 82 girls held captive for three years by Islamist militants met Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in the capital Abuja on Sunday a day after they were released in exchange for several militant commanders, officials said.
Iranian supreme leader critical of ‘Western-influenced’ Rouhani education plan
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran’s supreme leader on Sunday criticized the government of President Hassan Rouhani for promoting a “Western-influenced” United Nations education plan which his hardline allies have said contradicts Islamic principles.
North Korea detains another American citizen, KCNA reports
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea said on Sunday it has detained another U.S. citizen on suspicion of “hostile acts” against the state, which would make him the fourth American to be held by the isolated country amid heightened diplomatic tensions with Was…
Somali government says kills senior al Shabaab chief: statement
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – An al Shabaab chief, Moalim Osman Abdi Badil, and three fighters were killed in fighting in Lower Shabelle region on Friday, Somalia’s information minister said in a statement on Sunday.
German army searches all barracks after Nazi memorabilia found
BERLIN (Reuters) – The head of Germany’s armed forces has called for an inspection of all army barracks after investigators discovered Nazi-era military memorabilia in a garrison, broadening a scandal about right-wing extremism among soldiers.
Islamic State mounts fierce resistance on new Mosul front
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi forces faced stiff resistance from Islamic State in northwest Mosul on Sunday after opening a new front against the militants there in a push to rout them from the city after seven months of fighting.
Ex-Nusra fighters to be evacuated from Syria’s Yarmouk camp: al-Manar TV
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Agreement has been reached to evacuate wounded fighters of the hardline Islamist group formerly known as Nusra Front from Yarmouk, in the southern suburbs of Damascus, to rebel-held Idlib province, Hezbollah-affiliated al-Manar TV re…
