Nigerian military fights to recapture town from Boko Haram
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Nigerian troops backed by air strikes were fighting on Monday to recapture the northeastern town of Monguno from Boko Haram insurgents who had seized it a day earlier, security sources said.
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.
