Putin is fanning Syrian civil war, Britain’s Hammond says
ZAATARI, Jordan (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin is undermining international efforts to end the Syrian civil war by bombing opponents of Islamic State in an attempt to bolster Bashar al-Assad, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said …
U.S. judge orders explanation of Iran prisoner deal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A federal judge has challenged the U.S. government’s move to drop charges against an Iranian man accused of sanctions violations as part of a U.S. prisoner trade agreed with Iran last month.
Five Czechs missing in Lebanon since July have been found
PRAGUE/BEIRUT (Reuters) – Five Czech citizens who went missing in Lebanon in July are now with the Lebanese security services, a security source told Reuters on Monday.
Tunisia police, Islamist militants clash, two dead: government
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisian police have clashed with Islamist gunmen in a remote mountainous area in the southern region of Gabes, killing at least two militants, the interior ministry said on Monday.
U.N. announces start of Syria peace talks as government troops advance
GENEVA/BEIRUT/ROME (Reuters) – The United Nations announced the formal start of peace talks for Syria on Monday and urged world powers to push for a ceasefire even as government forces, backed by Russian air strikes, launched their biggest offensive no…
Germany’s Merkel under increasing pressure to reduce refugee numbers: ally
DUESSELDORF, Germany (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel is under increasing pressure to reduce the numbers of migrants reaching Germany and voters are increasingly doubtful that the state can tackle the refugee crisis, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schae…
Distressed freighter off French coast towed to Bilbao
BORDEAUX, France (Reuters) – A stricken cargo ship drifting on its side off the French Atlantic coast was being towed to the Spanish port of Bilbao on Monday, local officials said.
France and Belgium tighten security cooperation post attacks
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – France and Belgium vowed on Monday to intensify cooperation in the fight against Islamist radicals, including a more rapid exchange of information on potential militants and efforts to prevent forgery of documents.
Anti nuclear test agency urges nations to ratify ban
PARIS (Reuters) – North Korea’s recent nuclear test shows a ratification of an international ban on nuclear bomb tests is more urgent than ever, the head of the Vienna-based organization tasked with enforcing the ban said on Monday.
U.S. envoy makes first visit to Kurdish-held Syrian north
BEIRUT/ROME (Reuters) – A senior U.S. official has visited Kurdish-controlled northern Syria in what appeared to be the first declared trip to Syrian territory for several years by an official from U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration.
