Iran’s foreign minister summoned to parliament over walk with Kerry
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is to appear before parliament following controversy over a promenade with his American counterpart during intense nuclear negotiations in Geneva, state media reported on Sunday.
Russia’s Lavrov says Moscow ready to push for peaceful solution in east Ukraine
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday that Moscow was ready to do everything it can to encourage rival sides warring in east Ukraine to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict.
U.S. ambivalence towards Moscow talks shows pressure easing on Syria’s Assad
BEIRUT (Reuters) – An ambivalent U.S. response to a Moscow peace conference on Syria, despite a firm boycott by the main opposition, shows how the fight against Islamic State fighters has reduced international pressure against President Bashar al-Assad…
Bangladesh charges opposition chief with instigating attack on bus
DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladesh police have formally charged Begum Khaleda Zia, head of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) with instigating a petrol bomb attack on a passenger bus, a senior police official said on Sunday.
EU’s Tusk slams ‘appeasement’ of Russia as bloc talks new sanctions
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Senior figures in the European Union brandished a threat of new sanctions against Russia over the weekend violence in eastern Ukraine, with one blasting what he called “appeasement” of Moscow.
Hezbollah says Israel wants to set ‘new rules’ with Syria raid
BEIRUT (Reuters) – An Israeli attack which killed several prominent members of Lebanon’s Hezbollah last week was an attempt by Israel to set “new rules” in the conflict between the two foes, Hezbollah’s deputy leader said at a gathering to commemorate …
Obama vows to ratchet up pressure on Moscow over Ukraine
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama blamed Russia on Sunday for the fighting that has flared anew between government troops and separatists in eastern Ukraine, and said the United States would consider additional options to ratchet up pre…
Obama defends U.S. counter-terrorism strategy in Yemen
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Sunday defended his administration’s drone-based counter-terrorism strategy against al Qaeda militants in Yemen, saying the alternative would be to deploy U.S. troops, which was not sustainable.
Bombs kill 11 at central Baghdad restaurants
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Bombs killed at least 11 civilians in central Baghdad on Sunday when they exploded at two restaurants in the Iraqi capital, police and medical sources said.
President Poroshenko says de-escalation is priority in east Ukraine
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Sunday de-escalating the conflict with pro-Russian rebels was the priority for the Kiev government, which stands by a September peace deal signed in Minsk.




