Pakistan army starts North Waziristan ground offensive
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistani forces on Thursday launched their first major offensive in years against Taliban militants near the Afghan border after several rounds of government-led talks aimed at ending an insurgency in the remote region failed.
Iran president says nuclear talks at tough juncture, deal possible
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday talks over Tehran’s nuclear program had reached an important and tough juncture, but an agreement was still possible by a July deadline.
Assad’s forces enter Syria’s Aleppo prison – monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian troops have broken a year-long rebel siege on Aleppo’s main prison after heavy fighting with al Qaeda fighters and other Islamist brigades, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said on Thursday.
Eight Ukrainians killed in clash with separatists – security sources
KIEV (Reuters) – At least eight Ukrainian security personnel were killed and 18 injured in an overnight clash with pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, security sources said on Thursday.
S.Korean President Park names ex-top judge to replace prime minister
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean President Park Geun-hye named on Thursday a former supreme court justice with a reputation for fighting corruption as prime minister to replace an incumbent who resigned over the government’s slow response to last month’s…
Vietnam to help companies hit by anti-China riots
HANOI (Reuters) – Vietnam has promised to provide financial help to businesses hit by anti-China riots which erupted last week over a territorial dispute between Hanoi and Beijing in the South China Sea.
Syrian al Qaeda reach foothills of Israeli-held Golan
AMMAN (Reuters) – Atop the hill of Tel Ahmar just a few kilometers from Israeli forces on the Golan Heights, Syrian Islamist fighters hoist the al Qaeda flag and praise their mentor Osama bin Laden.
Hong Kong’s leader warns pro-democracy activists against mass protest
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong were warned on Thursday against holding mass protests as part of their campaign for the right to choose their own candidates for a poll in 2017 to elect the capitalist hub’s next leader.
Syria starts moving remaining chemical weapons, Pentagon says
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Syria is starting to relinquish the remaining stockpile of materials from its chemical weapons arsenal after months of delay it blamed on security concerns, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.
Libyan renegade general challenges government as clashes rock Tripoli
ABYAR/TRIPOLI, Libya (Reuters) – A Libyan renegade general called on the government to hand over power to the country’s top judges, mounting a challenge against Tripoli as heavy fighting erupted in the capital on Wednesday.
