Assad, under pressure, may need his friends more than ever
QALAMOUN MOUNTAINS, Syria/BEIRUT (Reuters) – When Lebanon’s Hezbollah first joined Syria’s war on the side of President Bashar al-Assad, its role was a closely guarded secret. Today, as Hezbollah plants its flag in land won from rebels north of Damascu…
Danish veterans accuse government of failing their Afghan interpreters
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – Danish military veterans have accused their government of breaking its promise to grant asylum to all local interpreters who helped the country’s soldiers during their deployment in Afghanistan.
Indian nurse dies four decades after being sodomized and left in a coma
NEW DELHI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – A 66-year-old Indian nurse, who was sexually assaulted and left in a vegetative state for more than 40 years, died on Monday, in a case that sparked national debate over the legalization of euthanasia.
U.S., allies conduct 25 air strikes in Iraq, Syria: task force
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and its allies conducted 25 air strikes since early on Sunday targeting Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq, the Combined Joint Task Force carrying out the operations said.
Kerry says U.S. and China discuss further sanctions on North Korea
SEOUL (Reuters) – The United States and China are discussing imposing further sanctions on North Korea, which is “not even close” to taking steps to rein in its nuclear weapons program, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday.
Belgium convicts seven women for supporting Islamic State
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – A Belgian court on Monday handed out prison sentences to seven women for supporting Islamic State and radicalizing young women to go to Syria to join its ranks and marry fighters of the militant organization.
Guinea opposition vows more protests unless president backs down
DAKAR (Reuters) – Guinea’s opposition leader pledged to continue the protests in which at least four people have been killed unless President Alpha Conde allows prompt local elections.
Three government soldiers killed in Mali rebel attack: sources
BAMAKO (Reuters) – At least three Malian soldiers were killed on Monday in a dawn raid by rebels south of the desert town of Timbuktu, a rebel and a U.N. source said, despite a partial signing of a peace deal last week.
Thailand arrests suspected trafficker, ministers to meet on boat crisis
BANGKOK/KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Thailand arrested the suspected kingpin of a human trafficking network on Monday, the latest bust in a crackdown on people smuggling that has triggered a humanitarian crisis on the region’s seas.
Libyan group detains 170 Tunisians over commander’s arrest: Tunis
TUNIS (Reuters) – An armed group allied to the Libya Dawn forces controlling Tripoli has detained 170 Tunisians in the Libyan capital since Saturday after Tunis arrested one of its commanders, Tunisian officials said on Monday.
