Israel targets top Hamas leader as cease-fire collapses
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel resumed its air strikes in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday a day after holding its fire in deference to an Egyptian-proposed cease-fire deal that failed to get Hamas militants to halt rocket attacks.
Libyan militia tighten control of Tripoli airport
TRIPOLI Libya (Reuters) – Libyan militia fighters with anti aircraft guns and mortars fanned out on Tuesday across Tripoli’s airport, transformed into a battlefield by two days of fighting that has cut the Libyan capital off from the outside world.
Kerry confers premature knighthood on departing friend Hague
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday heaped praise on William Hague after his resignation as British foreign secretary, and even went as far as conferring on him a premature knighthood via Twitter.
French soldier killed in Mali suicide bombing
PARIS/BAMAKO (Reuters) – A French soldier was killed in the first suicide bombing targeting France’s forces in northern Mali, where local and foreign troops are struggling to restore order after putting down an Islamist insurgency last year, officials …
China pushes for developing world’s rights as BRICS summit opens
BEIJING (Reuters) – China will dedicate itself to “perfecting” the role developing countries play in international affairs to give them better representation and a greater say, President Xi Jinping said ahead of a summit of BRICS nations in Brazil.
Thousands flee as typhoon batters east Philippines, heads to Manila
MANILA (Reuters) – Thousands of people in the Philippines fled from their homes on Tuesday as the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year made landfall, toppling trees and cutting power as it made its way straight towards the capital, Manila.
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un supervises rocket launches near South Korea border
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea on Tuesday showed detailed photos of Kim Jong Un directing rocket launches from a site close to the South in an apparent act of defiance that puts a personal face of its leader to actions provoking its neighbours.
Chinese town trades lead poison test results for milk
DAPU China (Reuters) – After a test showed farmer Zhao Heping’s toddler grandson had high levels of lead in his blood two years ago, local officials in China’s Hunan province offered the child medicine, he says – and milk. In return, Zhao says, officials asked that he hand over his grandson’s blood test results.
Ukraine sees Russian role in air strike on town
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine has made fresh charges of Russian involvement in its conflict with separatist rebels, suggesting Moscow may have had a role in an air strike on Tuesday that killed 11 people.
Iran looks to prolonging nuclear talks; U.S. demands cuts
VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran and six world powers on Tuesday appeared likely to extend talks on Tehran’s nuclear program beyond a July 20 deadline, while Washington said the Islamic Republic must cut its capacity to make nuclear fuel to secure a deal to end…
