Russia, Iran say future of Assad a matter for Syrians
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia and Iran said on Monday that Syrian groups must decide the future of Bashar al-Assad, with Moscow opposing any pre-negotiated exit of the Syrian president as part of a peace deal.
Air strikes in northwest Pakistan kill 24 militants: officials
BANNU, Pakistan (Reuters) – Pakistani air strikes killed at least 24 suspected militants in their northwestern strongholds on Monday, intelligence officials said, a day after a bomb killed a provincial minister in the prime minister’s political heartla…
Assassinated Pakistani minister was on watchlist for retaliation
LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) – A Pakistani provincial minister killed in a suicide bomb attack had been warned he was a target for retaliation by a militant after police killed the leader of the radical sectarian group last month.
Myanmar’s Suu Kyi meets ousted leader ahead of showdown in parliament
NAYPYITAW (Reuters) – Myanmar’s ousted ruling party chief Shwe Mann met Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday as the country’s political leaders maneuvered ahead of a showdown in parliament days after he was sacked by President Thein Sein.
Ousted former Thai PM criticizes draft constitution
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Ousted former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra raised questions on Monday about a constitution drafted by military rulers, adding her voice to a chorus of concern over provisions in the charter that critics say is undemocrati…
Iraqi parliament refers Mosul report to prosecutor, Abadi
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s parliament on Monday referred to the judiciary a report calling for the trial of former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and dozens of other top officials in connection with the fall of Mosul to Islamic State last year, two lawm…
Egypt’s Sisi approves anti-terrorism law setting up special courts
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday approved an anti-terrorism law that sets up special courts and provides protections to its enforcers in the face of a two-year-long insurgency that aims to topple his government.
Lebanese army kills two gunmen at Syria border: statement
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanese soldiers killed two gunmen trying to infiltrate with others from the border zone between Lebanon and Syria, the Lebanese army said in a statement on Monday. A security source said they had been identified as members of Islam…
Malaysia seeks help from tech firms to stem ‘false’ online content
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia will ask three social media and Internet companies to curb content in the interest of public safety, the communications minister said on Monday.
Sri Lankans go to polls in ‘referendum’ on Rajapaksa comeback
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Sri Lankans went to the polls on Monday to elect a new parliament in what amounts to a referendum on ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s comeback bid, with the reformist alliance that swept him from power seeking a stronger mandate.
