Syrian army pushing back insurgent offensive, military source says
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria’s army and its allies retook a village near Hama on Saturday, a Syrian military source said, as the government tries to turn back a major insurgent offensive, but bitter fighting continued, a war monitor said.
Air strike kills 16 in Syrian prison: Observatory
BEIRUT (Reuters) – At least 16 people died after a Friday night air strike on a prison in Syria’s rebel-held Idlib province including both prisoners and staff, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said on Saturday.
EU leaders renew fraying Union’s vows on 60th anniversary
ROME (Reuters) – Europeans must contain their squabbling and carping about the EU if the Union is to survive, leaders warned on Saturday as they marked the 60th anniversary of its founding in Rome by signing a formal declaration of unity.
Platform collapse at power plant in China kills nine – Xinhua
BEIJING (Reuters) – An operation platform collapsed at a power plant in China on Saturday, killing nine people and injuring two, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Philippine troops rescue ship captain kidnapped by militants
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine soldiers on Saturday rescued one of two Filipino cargo ship crewmen taken captive just two days ago by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants, a security official said.
France’s Macron ahead in polls, Fillon faces angry protesters
CAMBO-LES-BAINS/SAINT-DENIS-DE-LA-REUNION, France (Reuters) – Francois Fillon’s aides used an umbrella to shield him from eggs thrown by protesters in south-west France on Saturday as the beleaguered conservative fell further behind centrist Emmanuel M…
Major nations responsible for keeping world peace: China vice premier
BOAO, China (Reuters) – The world’s major nations are responsible for maintaining global peace, and all countries should remain committed to a road of stable and peaceful development, China’s Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said on Saturday.
U.S. judge grants Singaporean blogger’s asylum request
CHICAGO (Reuters) – A U.S. immigration judge in Chicago on Friday granted asylum to a Singaporean blogger, saying he was persecuted for his political opinions in the Southeast Asian city-state.
Hong Kong to choose new leader amid anger at perceived China meddling
HONG KONG (Reuters) – A small electoral college chooses a new Hong Kong leader on Sunday amid accusations of meddling by Beijing, denying the Chinese-ruled financial hub a more populist leader perhaps better suited to defuse political tension.
Hamas militant shot dead in Gaza Strip, group blames Israel
GAZA (Reuters) – A senior Hamas militant was shot dead near his home in the Gaza Strip on Friday, the group said, blaming Israel for the killing.
