Iran hardliners round on Rouhani but supreme leader backs more nuclear talks
DUBAI (Reuters) – Hardliners rounded on President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday after negotiators failed to end the Iranian nuclear dispute but the man who ultimately matters, the country’s supreme leader, tacitly backed a renewed push for a deal.
Female suicide bombers kill at least 21 in Nigeria’s northeast
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Two female suicide bombers killed at least 21 people on Tuesday in a busy market area of Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri, center of a militant Islamist insurgency, emergency services said.
Street protests in Burkina Faso prompt minister’s resignation
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) – A minister in Burkina Faso’s transitional government seen as close to former President Blaise Compaore’s administration resigned on Tuesday following two days of protests over his appointment, the prime minister’s office said.
South Sudan warns U.N. that sanctions could fuel confrontation
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – South Sudan warned the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that imposing sanctions to try to end nearly a year of violence in the world’s youngest state would likely “harden positions toward confrontation rather than c…
Jewish-nation bill frays Israel’s delicate social fabric
KAFR QASSEM, Israel (Reuters) – Israel is poised to pass one of the most divisive laws in its 66-year history, a bill that would declare it the homeland of the Jewish people only — and further alienate its Arab minority.
Bulgarian forces raid homes and mosque, detain prayer leader
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgarian security forces raided over 40 homes and a mosque in southern Bulgaria on Tuesday to seize books and computers in a special operation aimed at uncovering radical Islamist activities.
Islamic State fighters battle Iraqi forces near Baiji refinery
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Islamic State insurgents battled Iraqi forces in the center of Baiji on Tuesday, a week after the army broke their prolonged siege of the country’s largest oil refinery just outside the town, an army officer and residents said.
Kazakhstan on brink of WTO membership deal, Afghanistan in line
GENEVA (Reuters) – The 160-member World Trade Organization is in active discussions with 10 countries aiming to become members, including Kazakhstan and Afghanistan, WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo said in a report on Tuesday.
Exclusive: U.S. to leave more troops in Afghanistan than first planned – sources
KABUL (Reuters) – The United States is preparing to increase the number of troops it keeps in Afghanistan in 2015 to fill a gap left in the NATO mission by other contributing nations, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the situation.
Libyan PM says government responsible for bombing Tripoli airport
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – Libya’s internationally-recognized Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni said his government’s air force was responsible for strikes on the airport of the capital Tripoli, controlled by a rival administration, a statement said o…
