Turkish volunteers flock to monitor knife-edge election
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – In a meeting room above an upmarket restaurant in Istanbul’s Beyoglu district, some 200 people listen as a young lawyer explains what to watch for when votes are counted in Sunday’s pivotal parliamentary election.
U.S. says senior diplomat met with Yemen’s Houthi in Oman
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senior U.S. diplomats met representatives of Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the capital of Oman for a day last week to press for the release of American hostages and discuss a political solution to the country’s conflict, the State Dep…
U.S. urges African states to deliver message to Burundi on vote
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States urged east African states to send high-level representatives to Burundi to reiterate their opposition to President Pierre Nkurunziza seeking a third term and to press for free and fair elections.
U.S. says senior diplomat met with Yemen’s Houthi in Oman
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senior U.S. diplomats met representatives of Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the capital of Oman for a day last week to press for the release of American hostages and discuss a political solution to the country’s conflict, the State Dep…
Sudan’s Bashir says wants dialogue with West as new term starts
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Sudan is open to dialogue with Western nations, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir said on Tuesday in an unusually conciliatory message from a leader wanted on genocide charges and whose country suffers under economic sanctions.
Obama: Netanyahu’s Palestine stance erodes Israel’s credibility
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s terms for diplomacy that might lead to a Palestinian state meant Israel had lost international credibility as a potential peacemaker.
Myanmar escorting boat crammed with migrants to ‘safe’ area
YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar said a boat crammed with 727 migrants that it has kept stranded at sea for days was now being escorted to a “safe” area for identity checks and the United States said it believed those aboard would be allowed ashore in Myanma…
Vatican abuse commission keeps distance in row over Australian cardinal
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – A Vatican commission on sex abuse distanced itself on Tuesday from criticisms lodged by one of its members against an Australian cardinal but urged Church leaders to move swiftly to achieve justice for victims.
Syrian insurgent advances put Assad under pressure
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Steady advances by insurgents on key fronts in Syria mean President Bashar al-Assad is under more military pressure than at any point in the four-year-old war.
Allies back Iraq plan against ISIS, Baghdad seeks more help
PARIS (Reuters) – Western and Arab states carrying out air strikes on Islamic State fighters backed on Tuesday Iraq’s plan to retake territory from the jihadist movement after being accused by the Iraqi premier of not doing enough to help Baghdad push …




