Taliban claim attack on Afghan guesthouse that killed 14
KABUL (Reuters) – The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility on Thursday for an attack on a popular guesthouse in Kabul that killed at least 14 people, including foreigners attending a dinner and arriving for a concert.
Hamas says Islamic State has no foothold in Gaza Strip
GAZA (Reuters) – Islamic State sympathizers in the Gaza Strip are making their presence felt on social media, but the enclave’s Hamas rulers said on Thursday the group has no real foothold in the Palestinian territory.
Vatican move on Palestine adds fuel to European debate
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The Vatican’s decision to recognize the state of Palestine in a treaty for the first time has drawn a stern response from Israel, but it may usher in a freer debate in Europe about how to proceed on the vexed Palestinian question….
Exclusive: Poland to lobby NATO for more forces to deter Kremlin – document
WARSAW (Reuters) – Poland and the Baltic states said on Thursday they were seeking permanent NATO deployments on their soil to counter increased Russian military activity, and a Polish internal document suggested the matter may be raised at a Warsaw su…
China’s Xi greets Indian PM in ancestral home town with eye to trade ties
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ancestral home town at the start of a three-day visit to China on Thursday as the two Asian giants work to boost economic ties despite decades of mistrus…
Suspected Ugandan rebels kill at least 22 in eastern Congo
KINSHASA (Reuters) – Suspected Ugandan rebels killed at least 22 people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo late on Wednesday, local officials said, the third deadly attack on civilians in the region in the last week.
Mali rebels sign initial peace deal, doubts remain
ALGIERS (Reuters) – Mali’s Tuareg-led rebels signed up to a preliminary peace agreement with the government on Thursday as a step to ending decades of separatist fighting, but said they would need more guarantees before signing a final accord.
Iranian official criticizes Saudi, stresses support for Assad
DAMASCUS (Reuters) – A senior Iranian official branded Saudi Arabia’s King Salman a traitor to Islam on Thursday and equated the Gulf state’s military assault on Iranian-allied fighters in Yemen with Israeli actions against Palestinians.
Abe’s cabinet approves Japan security bills; voters wary, confused
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s cabinet approved on Thursday bills to implement a drastic shift in security policy allowing the military to fight abroad for the first time since World War Two, although the public is divided and wary over the changes.
U.S. Marines look to nurture integrated Asia-Pacific amphibious forces, China excluded
TOKYO (Reuters) – The U.S. Marine Corps is bringing together foreign commanders from amphibious forces deployed mostly in the Asia-Pacific for a conference aimed at taking steps to integrate operations, with China excluded from the event, according to …
