Libyan forces battling Islamic State in Sirte suffer losses in push to advance
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Forces aligned with Libya’s U.N.-backed government suffered losses from snipers and mines on Friday as they battled Islamic State to win control of a strategic conference center in the coastal city of Sirte.
With 84 dead, France investigates whether truck attacker acted alone
NICE, France (Reuters) – French authorities were trying to determine on Friday whether a Tunisian who killed at least 84 people by plowing a truck into Bastille Day crowds had acted alone or with accomplices, but said the attack bore the hallmarks of I…
Attempted Turkey coup threatens U.S. fight against Islamic State
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The attempted military coup in Turkey could hamper the United States in its war against Islamic State in Syria and undermine other U.S. goals in the Middle East by weakening democracy and sparking prolonged instability in the NATO pact’s only Muslim member.
Peru President-elect reveals technocrat-filled cabinet
LIMA (Reuters) – Peru’s President-elect Pedro Pablo Kuczynski listed his incoming ministers on Friday, in a cabinet stacked with technocrats but thin on experienced politicians who might help him broker deals with an opposition-controlled Congress.
Moscow and Washington know what’s needed to restore Syria truce: Kerry
MOSCOW (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday Washington and Moscow had reached a common understanding on the steps now needed to get Syria’s peace process back on track.
Russian help fighting IS welcome, but not at cost of keeping Assad: Saudi official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Friday the kingdom would welcome effective Russian participation in the fight with Islamic State in Syria but not at the expense of keeping the Syrian president in power or further at…
U.S. raps South Sudan for preventing civilians from fleeing fighting
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department on Friday condemned actions by South Sudan’s government to prevent civilians from leaving the country after recent fighting and voiced concern about the beating and detention of some politicians.
Wary Mideast states warn of Pokemon GO security dangers
DUBAI (Reuters) – Authorities in the Gulf Arab states of Kuwait and United Arab Emirates on Friday warned of security dangers to playing the wildly successful new smartphone app Pokemon GO.
Both of Istanbul’s Bosphorus bridges closed: TVs
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge were both closed on Friday, local television channels reported, without giving a reason.
May says won’t trigger EU divorce until UK-wide approach agreed
EDINBURGH (Reuters) – Prime Minister Theresa May said on Friday that Britain would not trigger formal divorce talks with the European Union until a “UK approach” had been agreed, bidding to appease Scots who strongly oppose Brexit.
