Turkey returns to single-party rule in boost for Erdogan
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s Islamist-rooted AK Party swept to an unexpected victory in elections on Sunday, returning the country to single-party rule in an outcome that will boost the power of President Tayyip Erdogan but may sharpen deep social divis…
Russian jet broke up in mid air, too early for conclusions, official says
CAIRO/MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Russian airliner that crashed in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula broke up in mid-air, an official of a Moscow-based aviation agency said on Sunday after visiting the disaster site, but stressed it was too early to draw conclusions fr…
Chile doubles down on prosecutions for Pinochet-era crimes
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – For nearly three decades after Veronica de Negri’s 19-year-old son Rodrigo Rojas was burned to death by Chilean soldiers during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, her hunt for justice had been fruitless.
Al Qaeda chief urges militant unity against Russia in Syria
CAIRO (Reuters) – Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri called on Muslim supporters to band together to confront the threat from the West and Russia in Syria and Iraq, the latest recording suggesting greater unity between al Qaeda and Islamic State.
In Central Asia, Kerry raises rights but tempers public criticism
SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan (Reuters) – Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday met Uzbekistan’s autocratic ruler and officials from other Central Asian states accused of being among the world’s worst human rights offenders.
Merkel’s conservatives align refugee policy but coalition still at odds
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel failed on Sunday to fully resolve differences within her ruling coalition over how to deal with the huge refugee influx, leaving open a row that has rocked her government.
Islamic State takes Syrian town as fighting looks set to intensify
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Islamic State fighters drove Syrian government forces from a western town on Sunday, a monitoring group reported, as fighting escalated despite a flurry of diplomatic activity and talks between regional rivals.
Thousands march in Niger to denounce vote preparations
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Thousands of anti-government protesters marched in Niger’s capital on Sunday to denounce what they say are irregularities in voter lists ahead of presidential elections in early 2016.
Fate of slain Palestinians fuels new feud with Israeli authorities
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel is refusing to return the bodies of Palestinians killed during a month-old surge of violence unless the Palestinian side agrees to keep their funerals “modest”, the Israeli defense minister said on Sunday.
Pakistani PM’s party wins majority in local government polls
LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) – Pakistan’s ruling party has won a majority of seats in local elections, according to unofficial results released on Sunday, dashing opposition hopes of making gains in Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Punjab power base.
