Libya talks resume, U.N. plays down absence of a major player
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations opened a second round of political talks over Libya in Geneva on Monday and played down the absence of a key faction, saying only the site of the talks was a point of contention.
Kurds close to driving Islamic State out of Syria’s Kobani: monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Kurdish fighters, backed by U.S.-led air strikes, are close to regaining full control of the Syrian town of Kobani near the Turkish border from Islamic State fighters, a group monitoring Syria’s war and a Kurdish official said on Mon…
U.S.-led forces launch 34 air strikes in Syria, Iraq: U.S. military
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. and partner nations launched 21 air strikes in Syria and 13 in Iraq over a 24-hour period, the U.S. military said on Monday as it intensified its assault on Islamic State around Kobani, Syria.
Eyeing May re-election, UK’s Cameron says voters ‘deserve’ tax cuts
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Monday voters deserved to be rewarded with tax cuts “after years of sacrifice,” pledging to reduce taxes if he won a national election in May.
Russia warns West not to blackmail it over Ukraine
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia blamed Kiev on Monday for a surge in fighting in Ukraine and warned the West that any attempt to increase economic pressure on Moscow would be “absolutely destructive” blackmail.
Philippines says deadly clash a mistake, hopeful peace not derailed
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines said on Monday a clash between security forces and Muslim rebels in which dozens of people were killed was a mistake and both sides said they were hopeful the violence would not scupper a peace deal the rebels are neg…
Low expectations as Moscow hosts Syria talks
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Syrian opposition representatives met in Moscow on Monday at the start of a meeting which the Damascus government will join later this week in efforts to revive peace talks.
Al Qaeda militants kill Yemeni soldier in southern Yemen: official
ADEN (Reuters) – Al Qaeda militants attacked a military checkpoint in southern Yemen on Monday, killing a soldier and wounding two others, a local official told Reuters. Two of the gunmen were also killed.
Assad seeks agreement over U.S. air strikes in Syria
BEIRUT (Reuters) – President Bashar al-Assad has said U.S.-led air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria should be subject to an agreement with Damascus and Syrian troops should be involved on the ground.
Yemen crisis is first big test for Saudi Arabia’s King Salman
RIYADH (Reuters) – The turmoil hitting Saudi Arabia’s neighbor Yemen will pose the first big test for King Salman, and provide a glimpse as to whether his approach to hotspots in a fragmenting region will differ from that of his late brother.
