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.
Zambia’s new president keeps Chikwanda as finance minister
LUSAKA (Reuters) – Zambia’s new President Edgar Lungu on Monday retained Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda after securing a narrow victory in last week’s presidential poll.
Chinese academic bemoans ‘narrow-minded … repressive’ attacks
BEIJING (Reuters) – Narrow-minded, repressive attacks on Chinese university academics and social media activists discredit the country more than calls for more open government, an academic said, in the latest tussle between liberals and conservatives.
Turkey opens biggest refugee camp for 35,000 from Kobani
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey opened its biggest refugee camp on Sunday to house 35,000 people fleeing fighting between Kurdish forces and Islamist militants in Syria’s Kobani, national disaster management agency AFAD said.
Turkish court orders Facebook to block pages insulting Mohammad: media
ANKARA (Reuters) – A Turkish court has ordered Facebook to block a number of pages deemed insulting to the Prophet Mohammad, threatening to stop access to the whole social networking site if it does not comply, local media reported.
