U.S., allies conduct 20 air strikes in Iraq: U.S. Military
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and its allies made 20 air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq on Saturday, with targets near Ramadi bearing the brunt of the attacks, the military said on Sunday.
Syria’s Assad: Army focusing on holding most important areas
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Sunday the army had been forced to give up areas in order to hold onto more important ones in its fight with insurgents, and the scale of the war meant the military faced a manpower shortage.
Cuba tones down anti-U.S. rhetoric on revolution’s main holiday
SANTIAGO, Cuba (Reuters) – Cuban leaders pledged to keep socialism alive but toned down the anti-U.S. rhetoric at Cuba’s first national holiday since re-establishing diplomatic relations with the United States on July 20.
Ukraine detains another suspected Russian soldier in east
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian state security agents on Sunday questioned a soldier suspected of being a Russian army officer who was picked up while riding in a military truck packed with ammunition in the country’s east.
Iraqi forces clash with Islamic State militants at Anbar university
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi security forces entered the University of Anbar in the western city of Ramadi on Sunday and clashed with Islamic State militants inside the compound, the joint operations command said in a statement.
Merkel’s Bavarian ally wants more money to cope with refugees
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany needs to double its financial support to federal states struggling with a surge of refugees and tougher rules are needed to prevent the abuse of asylum procedures, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Bavarian ally said on Sunday.
Pope calls for release of priest, bishops abducted in Syria
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis on Sunday appealed for the release of an Italian Jesuit priest and two Orthodox bishops kidnapped in Syria two years ago, asking leaders to work for the freedom of all those abducted there.
Obama tells Kenyans they can succeed, sees challenges
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Barack Obama told Kenyans on Sunday on his first presidential trip to his father’s homeland that there was “no limit to what you can achieve” but said they had to deepen democracy, tackle corruption and end exclusion based on gender…
Filipino fishermen remove Chinese buoys near disputed shoal, officials say
MANILA (Reuters) – Filipino fishermen found several buoys with Chinese markings near the disputed Scarborough Shoal and towed the devices back to shore northwest of the capital, Manila, Philippines officials said on Sunday.
Palestinians, Israeli police clash at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Masked rock-throwing Palestinians and Israeli police using stun grenades clashed on Sunday at al-Aqsa mosque plaza, on the annual Jewish day of mourning for Jerusalem’s two destroyed Biblical temples.
