Western-backed Syrian opposition body elects new leadership
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Syria’s Western-backed political opposition group, the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, has elected a new presidential committee and a president widely seen as free of links to any of the body’s in…
Syrian opposition leader casts doubt on Russia peace talks
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – The new head of Syria’s Western-backed political opposition cast doubt on Monday on whether members of his group would attend talks in Russia this month aimed at finding a solution to the nearly four-year Syrian conflict.
Turkish parliament commission votes against graft trial for ex-ministers
ANKARA (Reuters) – A Turkish parliamentary commission voted on Monday not to commit for trial four former ministers accused in a corruption investigation, effectively backing President Tayyip Erdogan after a scandal that rattled his inner circle.
Boko Haram killed dozens seizing Nigerian town and army base
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Boko Haram killed dozens of civilians and at least 11 soldiers when the militants took control of a Nigerian town and army base on the shores of Lake Chad at the weekend, a military source and witnesses said on Monday.
U.S. charges two men in connection with failed Gambia coup
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States has charged two U.S. residents with ties to Gambia for their involvement in the failed Dec. 30 attempt to overthrow the government of Gambia, the U.S. Justice Department said on Monday.
Fending off insurgents, main UK parties limp towards closest election in memory
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s politicians returned on Monday from their Christmas break to launch campaigns for what could be the closest election in memory, with the rise of anti-Europeans and Scottish nationalists creating uncertainty unseen since the…
Turkey, U.S. to finalize Syrian rebel training this month: official
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey and the United States aim to finalize an agreement on equipping and training moderate Syrian rebels this month, a senior foreign ministry official said on Monday, part of the U.S.-led campaign to battle Islamic State militants…
India, Pakistan step up border fighting ahead of Kerry visit
SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) – Indian and Pakistani troops intensified cross-border firing on Monday, killing an Indian border guard and forcing hundreds of villagers to flee, escalating tensions before visits by top U.S. officials.
U.S. leads 20 more air strikes against Islamic State
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S.-led coalition launched 20 more air strikes against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq on Sunday and Monday, targeting fighters for the militant group and hitting its crude oil operations, according to the Combined Joint Tas…
Three Saudi guards killed in suicide, gun attack on Iraq border: ministry
RIYADH (Reuters) – Militants killed two Saudi border guards and their commanding officer on the frontier with Iraq early on Monday, the interior ministry said, in a suicide and gun attack one analyst called Islamic State’s first assault on the kingdom….
