Kerry’s Syria plan with Russia faces deep skepticism in U.S., abroad
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Skeptics in the U.S. government, European allies in the anti-Islamic State coalition and the main Syrian opposition, distrustful of Russia’s intentions, are questioning Secretary of State John Kerry’s latest proposal for closer U.S.-Russian cooperation against extremist groups in Syria.
Bangladesh arrests four female militants in hunt for cafe attackers
DHAKA (Reuters) – Police in Bangladesh arrested on Sunday four female members of a home-grown militant group blamed for a bloody attack on a cafe in which 22 people were killed, most of them foreigners, an officer said.
Syrian government says ready for further peace talks: state media
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria’s government said on Sunday it was ready for further peace talks with the opposition and that it was intent on a political solution to the five-year conflict.
Eight dead, more than 20 missing after boat capsizes off Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian authorities have recovered the bodies of eight Indonesians and are searching for more than 20 who are still missing after their boat capsized off the southern state of Johor on Saturday night.
Philippine president gives order to free up information
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered all agencies directly under his watch to open their records to the public as part of his promise to crack down on corruption and promote transparency in government.
Islamic State claims responsibility for Kabul attack, 80 dead
KABUL (Reuters) – Twin explosions tore through a demonstration by members of Afghanistan’s mainly Shi’ite Hazara minority in Kabul on Saturday, killing at least 80 people and wounding more than 230 in a suicide attack claimed by Islamic State.
Kurdish militants kill policeman in eastern Turkey
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Kurdish militants attacked a police checkpoint in the eastern Turkish province of Tunceli overnight, killing one police officer and wounding two others, the provincial governor’s office said on Sunday.
Thousands join funeral procession for Cambodian government critic
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – Thousands of people attended a funeral procession in Cambodia’s capital on Sunday for a prominent government critic, Kem Ley, whose killing has raised fears about political violence in the run-up to elections.
Four inmates killed in El Salvador prison riot
SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) – Four inmates at a prison in El Salvador were murdered on Saturday amid a fight between inmates, the national prison service said via Twitter.
Venezuela first lady’s nephews confessed to drug scheme, U.S. says
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Two nephews of Venezuela’s first lady, who face charges of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States, confessed to U.S. agents after being arrested in November to being involved in the drug scheme, newly-filed court recor…
