India’s Modi seeks state election wins to support reform agenda
MUMBAI (Reuters) – Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheaded his party’s campaign for elections later this week in Maharashtra state, knowing that victory in the home of India’s financial hub Mumbai will make it easier to push through economic reforms.
Bombings kill 45 in Shi’ite areas of Baghdad and outskirts: police
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – At least 45 people were killed in bombings in Baghdad and its rural outskirts on Saturday as the government continued to defend the capital against jihadists who four months ago seized major cities in northern Iraq.
Two killed, six peacekeepers wounded in Central African Republic
BANGUI (Reuters) – Two people were killed in fighting in the capital of Central African Republic and six peacekeepers from Burundi and Cameroon were wounded in an ambush, a spokeswoman for the United Nations mission in the country said on Saturday.
Kurds urge more air strikes in Kobani; monitor warns of defeat
MURSITPINAR Turkey/BEIRUT (Reuters) – Kurdish forces defending Kobani urged a U.S.-led coalition to escalate air strikes on Islamic State fighters who tightened their grip on the Syrian town at the border with Turkey on Saturday.
Bombings kill 45 in Shi’ite areas of Baghdad and outskirts – police, medical officials
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – At least 45 people were killed in bombings in Baghdad and its rural outskirts on Saturday as the government continued to defend the capital against jihadists who four months ago seized major cities in northern Iraq.
Largest Irish anti-austerity march in years targets water charges
DUBLIN (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of people rallied against new water bills in Dublin on Saturday in Ireland’s biggest anti-austerity protest for years as a candidate calling for a boycott of the charges was elected to parliament in a by-election.
Suspected Somali Islamists abduct Kenyan traders – governor
MOMBASA Kenya (Reuters) – Suspected Somali Islamist militants have abducted five Kenyans who were transporting the stimulant khat on Kenya’s northern coast, a regional official said, the latest in a string of incidents blamed on the Somali rebels.
Drone strike kills two suspected militants in northwest Pakistan
DERA ISMAIL KHAN Pakistan (Reuters) – A U.S. drone strike killed two suspected militants in northwest Pakistan on Saturday, Pakistani intelligence officials said, part of a flurry of strikes this week after a long pause earlier this year.
Ban Ki-moon makes surprise visit to Libya, urges dialogue
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon flew to Tripoli on Saturday to urge the warring factions fighting for control of Libya to make peace, in the highest-level visit since an armed faction took the capital in August.
Ukraine leader says expects tough talks with Putin next week
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Saturday he expected planned talks with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin next week in Italy to be difficult but said Moscow had a crucial role to play in bringing peace to his country.
