U.S. weighs slowing Afghan withdrawal to ensure ‘progress sticks’: Carter
KABUL (Reuters) – The United States is considering slowing a planned withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan to ensure that “progress sticks” after more than a decade of war, new Defense Secretary Ash Carter said during an unannounced visit to Kabul…
Ireland’s Fine Gael considering coalition with Labour, independents: Noonan
CASTLEBAR, Ireland (Reuters) – Ireland’s governing Fine Gael party would consider forming a coalition with independents and its Labour party partners after elections next year, finance minister Michael Noonan said on Saturday.
Caracas mayor to appeal ‘unfounded’ charges, lawyer says
CARACAS (Reuters) – The mayor of Venezuela’s capital Caracas will fight charges of plotting violence against the socialist government, his lawyer said on Saturday, denouncing the accusations as baseless.
Pro-Russia rebel build-up near port city alarms Ukraine military
KIEV/SAKHANKA, Ukraine (Reuters) – Pro-Russian separatists are building up forces and weapons in Ukraine’s south east and the Ukrainian military said on Saturday it was braced for the possibility of a rebel attack on the port city of Mariupol.
Boko Haram attacks island on Niger side of Lake Chad
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Boko Haram militants attacked an island on Niger’s side of Lake Chad but the army repelled them after heavy fighting, residents and security sources said on Saturday.
Tsipras declares victory as Greece dodges financial collapse
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras declared victory on Saturday after agreeing a last-minute conditional financial rescue deal with Europe, despite making big concessions to avert financial collapse within days.
Gunmen abduct 89 boys in war-torn South Sudan: U.N.
JUBA (Reuters) – Gunmen in war-ravaged South Sudan have abducted at least 89 boys, some as young as 13, from their school in oil-rich Upper Nile State, the United Nations said on Saturday.
Zimbabwe’s Mugabe turns 91, slowly sheds pariah image
HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe turned 91-years-old on Saturday showing no sign of giving up power as the West slowly eases pressure on a man who has been an international pariah for the last decade.
Islamic State targeted in six air strikes by U.S.-led coalition: task force
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S.-led coalition staged six air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq in the past 24 hours, the Combined Joint Task Force said on Saturday.
U.S. and allies discuss new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine – Kerry
LONDON (Reuters) – The United States and its allies are discussing imposing more sanctions against Russia for undermining a European-brokered truce in eastern Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday.
