Assad’s army stretched but still seen strong in Syria’s war
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria’s army declared a victory against insurgents last week when it pushed back their advance towards pro-government towns in the west of the country. But a month earlier the strategic area did not even appear at risk.
Ukraine PM tells army to be on full battle alert despite ceasefire
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s prime minister told government forces to remain on full battle alert on Wednesday as fighting in the rebel-held eastern city of Donetsk killed at least two civilians and further strained a ceasefire with Russian-backed separa…
Islamic State campaign tests Obama’s commitment to Mideast allies
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – After about 15 hours of flying and five hours of meetings, sleep finally caught up with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Baghdad. It was 6:04 p.m. 
Japan minister denies ties to hate speech group, government says
TOKYO (Reuters) – A Japanese cabinet minister did not know that people with whom she was photographed years ago belonged to a right-wing group now known for “hate speech” demos, a government spokesman said on Thursday, the third recent case of politica…
Unborn baby of U.S. suspect in Bali suitcase murder gets a lawyer
DENPASAR Indonesia (Reuters) – An U.S. woman detained on the Indonesian resort island of Bali in connection with the murder of her mother has retained legal representation for her unborn child, the suspect’s legal team said.
Polo becomes hurricane off Mexico’s Pacific Coast
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Tropical storm Polo became a hurricane off Mexico’s Pacific coast on Wednesday night, the U.S. National Hurricane Centre said, with maximum sustained winds of almost 75 miles per hour (120 kph) expected to strengthen.
Former Mexico official pleads guilty in corruption probe
SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) – A former top official in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila, whose case became a symbol of Mexican government corruption, has pleaded guilty in Texas to federal money laundering charges, according to court documents.
House votes to arm Syrian rebels
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives approved President Barack Obama’s plan on Wednesday to train and arm moderate Syrian rebels, but questions remain over whether it will give them the advanced weapons they say they need to defeat …
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford diagnosed with rare cancer
(Reuters) – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has a very rare and aggressive type of cancerous tumor in his abdomen, his doctor said on Wednesday, and the controversial municipal leader will start chemotherapy treatment within days.
Australia police launch massive ‘counter-terrorism’ raids
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Hundreds of heavily armed police raided homes in Sydney and Brisbane before dawn on Thursday, launching a large-scale Australian “counter-terrorism operation” just days after the country raised its national terror threat level to hig…
