Ukraine government forces recapture separatist stronghold
SLAVIANSK, Ukraine (Reuters) – Ukrainian forces routed pro-Russian rebels in a flashpoint area of eastern Ukraine on Saturday and raised the country’s blue and yellow flag again over what had for months been the separatist redoubt of Slaviansk.
Iraqi Islamic State leader purported to make public appearance
DUBAI (Reuters) – A man purported to be the reclusive leader of the militant Islamic State has made what would be his first public appearance at a mosque in the centre of Iraq’s second city, Mosul, according to a video recording posted on the Internet …
Allawi warns risk of Iraq’s dismemberment unless Maliki goes
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Former Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi called on incumbent Nuri al-Maliki on Saturday to give up his bid for a third term in power or risk the dismemberment of Iraq.
Iraq says footage purporting to show Islamic State leader is false
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The Iraqi government said on Saturday that a video posted online purporting to show the reclusive leader of the militant group Islamic State praying in the northern city of Mosul was falsified.
Little hope for eight trapped Honduran miners
SAN JUAN ARRIBA Honduras (Reuters) – Rescuers said there was little hope that eight miners trapped underground in an illegal Honduran gold mine would be found alive, after rescue efforts were suspended on Saturday due to the risk of new landslides.
Yemeni air force bombs Shi’ite rebels after ceasefire collapses
SANAA (Reuters) – The Yemeni air force bombed Shi’ite Muslim fighters north of Sanaa on Saturday in fighting that caused “a large number of casualties”, local officials said, after a truce reached last month between the insurgents and government forces…
Leader of Bulgaria’s ruling Socialist party to step down
SOFIA (Reuters) – The leader of Bulgaria’s ruling Socialists (BSP), Sergei Stanishev, announced on Saturday his intention to resign as party leader after a poor showing in May’s European elections.
Taliban insurgents set oil tankers ablaze in Afghanistan
KABUL (Reuters) – Taliban insurgents set fire on Saturday to about 200 oil tanker trucks supplying fuel for NATO forces in an attack just outside the Afghan capital Kabul, police said.
At least five killed in attacks in Somali capital
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Five soldiers and police were killed in the Somali capital on Saturday and a dozen others were wounded in bomb and gun attacks by Islamist militants, police and witnesses said.
Egypt’s prime minister seeks to justify fuel subsidy cuts
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s prime minister has sought to justify politically sensitive subsidy cuts on fuel and natural gas which took effect on Saturday, saying they were a necessary part of fixing an economy hammered by three years of turmoil.
