Putin says Russia close to swapping data on Syria militant positions with West
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Russia was close to exchanging data about the positions of Islamist militants in Syria with Western countries, something Moscow has wanted for weeks.
Russia denies U.S. claims it used cluster bombs in populated areas in Syria
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Russian Defence Ministry official, Igor Konashenkov, on Thursday denied U.S. allegations that the Russian military had used cluster bombs in populated areas in Syria, RIA news agency reported.
Golf and gluttony in the rough as China tees off against graft
BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China’s ruling Communist Party has listed golf and gluttony as violations for the first time as it tightens its rules to prevent officials from engaging in corrupt practices, while also turning an even sterner eye on sexual…
Bahrain’s Shi’ite clerics criticize removal of Ashura flags
DUBAI (Reuters) – Senior Shi’ite Bahraini clerics criticized the removal of Ashura banners raised to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Prophet Mohammad’s grandson, saying the move amounted to an infringement on a tradition dating back hundred…
Turkey’s Erdogan sees Syrian and Kurdish hands in Ankara attack
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday Syrian intelligence and Kurdish militants, not just Islamic State, were behind a double suicide bombing in Ankara which killed more than 100 people, the worst attack of its kind in Turkey’s…
Turkey’s Erdogan sees signs of new wave of migrants from Syria’s Aleppo
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – There are strong indications that a new wave of migration has started following an increase in fighting on the Syrian region of Aleppo, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.
Guinea security forces killed three in election run-up: Amnesty
CONAKRY (Reuters) – Security forces in Guinea shot two unarmed people in the back and beat another person to death in the lead up to elections this month, human rights group Amnesty International said on Thursday.
Moldova parliament to vote on no-confidence motion against government
CHISINAU (Reuters) – Moldova’s parliament will vote on a no-confidence motion against the coalition government within the next three days after opposition leaders submitted a request to parliament on Thursday.
Russia says worried about concentration of Islamist terror groups in Afghanistan
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia is concerned about the concentration of Islamist terror groups in northern Afghanistan, Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said on Thursday.
U.S., allies target Islamic State with 22 fresh airstrikes: statement
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State targeted the militant group with 22 air strikes in Syria and Iraq on Wednesday, according to the Combined Joint Task Force leading the operation.
