U.S. weighs bigger role in Yemen’s war, boosting aid to allies
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is considering deepening its role in Yemen’s conflict by more directly aiding its Gulf allies battling Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, officials say, potentially relaxing a U.S. policy that limited American support….
Tillerson will not meet Turkey opposition in Ankara visit this week
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will not meet members of Turkish opposition groups during a one-day visit to Ankara this week where talks with President Tayyip Erdogan will focus on the war in Syria, senior U.S. officials s…
Bomb factories, village command posts: Islamic State’s rural fight
BADUSH, Iraq (Reuters) – Islamic State fighters have pulled out of this deserted village on the Tigris river, which Iraqi commanders say was a crucial outpost defending their nearby stronghold of Mosul, but signs of their presence abound.
Venezuela seeks to stymie OAS meeting, vows ‘severe’ response
CARACAS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Venezuela called on Monday for the suspension of an Organization of American States meeting intended to air regional concerns over the OPEC nation’s economic crisis and democratic standards.
Qatar Airways chief says laptop ban not designed to hurt Gulf carriers
LONDON (Reuters) – Qatar Airways’ chief executive said on Monday he did not believe the ban on carrying most electronics in the cabins of passenger flights to the United States from eight Muslim majority countries was designed to hurt Gulf airlines.
After civilians killed in Mosul, Pentagon denies loosening rules
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Pentagon, facing accusations that a coalition air strike may have killed scores of civilians in the Iraqi city of Mosul, said on Monday it was not loosening its rules of engagement in the fight against Islamic State but that …
Britain reopens privacy debate after attack, presses tech firms
LONDON (Reuters) – British officials have demanded tech firms do much more to give police access to smartphone communications following last week’s Westminster attack, just months after new laws gave security services broader powers.
At least 11 dead in suicide bombing and gun attack in southern Yemen
ADEN (Reuters) – At least 11 people were killed in a suicide bombing and gun attack by suspected al Qaeda militants on a local government compound in southern Yemen on Monday, a Yemeni government media office said in a statement.
Iran’s Rouhani seeks deals with new friend Russia
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Iran’s president met Russia’s prime minister on Monday in a bid to develop a warming relationship that has been greatly strengthened by both sides’ involvement on the same side of the war in Syria.
Iraqi forces make new push in Mosul Old City: federal police
MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqi forces said they launched new assaults in Mosul’s Old City on Monday after more than two weeks of only small advances and a high civilian death toll appeared to prompt a change in tactics.
