Israelis, Gaza militants fight on, defying truce efforts
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel launched more than 30 air attacks in Gaza on Saturday, killing nine Palestinians, and militants fired rockets at Israel as the conflict entered a second month, defying international efforts to revive a ceasefire.
Obama says tackling Iraq’s insurgency will take time
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – President Barack Obama said on Saturday U.S. airstrikes had destroyed arms that Islamic State militants could have used against Iraqi Kurds, but warned there was no quick fix to a crisis that threatens to tear Iraq apart.
Ukrainian rebels say they ready for ceasefire
KIEV (Reuters) – Pro-Russian separatists said on Saturday they were ready for a ceasefire with the Kiev government after increasing gains by Ukrainian forces against rebel forces.
U.S. call for South China Sea ‘freeze’ gets cool response from China
NAYPYIDAW (Reuters) – A U.S. proposal for a freeze on provocative acts in the South China Sea got a cool response from China and some Southeast Asian nations on Saturday, an apparent setback to Washington’s efforts to rein in China’s assertive actions….
Lebanese villagers repel fighters who crossed from Syria -Lebanese sources
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Fighters identified as Islamist militants crossed into Lebanon from Syria on Saturday, triggering an exchange of fire with Lebanese villagers who forced them back across the border, Lebanese security sources and a villager said.
Egypt court dissolves Muslim Brotherhood’s political wing
CAIRO (Reuters) – An Egyptian court on Saturday dissolved the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), the political wing of the banned Muslim Brotherhood, dealing a crippling blow in the campaign to crush Egypt’s oldest Islamist movement.
U.S. urges India to step up as regional power
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – The United States urged India on Saturday to bolster its role as a global power and force for regional stability, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to Washington since his election in May.
‘Kurdish Obama’ challenges perceptions with Turkish presidential bid
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Unthinkable just a few years ago, Selahattin Demirtas’ bid for Turkey’s highest office underscores how Kurdish politics has entered the mainstream even as Kurds in neighboring Syria and Iraq push for more autonomy.
WHO declares Ebola an international health emergency
LONDON/LAGOS (Reuters) – The world’s worst outbreak of Ebola that has killed nearly 1,000 people in West Africa represents an international health emergency and could continue spreading for months, the World Health Organization said on Friday.
Support for Scottish independence drops after TV debate: poll
LONDON (Reuters) – Support for Scottish independence has fallen following a TV debate this week and the campaign to split the United Kingdom will need a dramatic turnaround if it is to win a forthcoming referendum, a poll showed on Saturday.
