Taliban leadership issues likely to delay Afghan peace talks: U.S. commander
(Reuters) – Disarray within the Taliban leadership could delay peace talks with the Afghan government for a few months, but up to 70 percent of the militant group may ultimately be reconciled with Kabul, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan predicted …
Turkey urges NATO to keep up its Patriot defenses
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Turkey urged its NATO allies on Thursday to keep up missile defenses along its Syrian border, after Germany and the United States said they would press on with plans to withdraw Patriot batteries despite worries about Russian actio…
South Sudan’s warring sides violated ceasefire over 50 times: monitors
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – South Sudan’s warring sides have violated a ceasefire agreement over 50 times in the last 20 months, mediators said in a report on Thursday.
U.N. council due to vote Friday on EU migrant mission off Libya
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations Security Council is due to vote on Friday on whether to approve European naval operations aimed at seizing and disposing of vessels operated by human traffickers in the high seas off Libya, diplomats said.
Russian cruise missile strikes fired without advanced notice: U.S.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Russia fired cruise missiles at Syrian targets this week without giving any advanced notice, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Thursday, describing a trend of unpredictable military action that has put the United States and…
Mortar attacks kill 27 in Iraq: police
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Twenty seven people were killed in Iraq on Thursday when mortars landed in the provincial capital of Baquba, police and medics said.
Lebanese police fire water cannon at protesters
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanese security forces fired a water cannon at scores of anti-government protesters on Thursday, Reuters witnesses said. The crowd chanted “the people want the fall of the regime” as riot police surrounded them in downtown Beirut.
Afghan medical NGOs faced growing danger long before MSF hospital tragedy
KABUL (Reuters) – The U.S. air strike in Afghanistan that killed at least 22 patients and staff at a Medecins Sans Frontieres hospital wasn’t the first time the escalating war has affected an aid-run medical facility. There have even been instances sin…
Protesters scuffle with police in Iraq’s Kurdistan region
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – Protesters hurled stones and scuffled with riot police in the second largest city in Iraq’s Kurdish north on Thursday, in the most intense show of discontent since an economic crisis hit the region.
North Korean capital shows flashes of prosperity amid country’s isolation
PYONGYANG (Reuters) – Smartphones, traffic jams and modern, energy-saving lights casting a dim glow on the streets – North Korea’s capital shows signs of change even as it prepares for a pageant of military muscle and propaganda of the kind the country…
