Syrian rebels launch fierce offensive against al Qaeda fighters
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian rebel factions battled fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) across north-west Syria on Saturday in the heaviest clashes between President Bashar al-Assad’s opponents in nearly three years of conflict, …
South Sudan rivals set stage for peace talks with a hug
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – South Sudanese rebels and government negotiators will hold their first face-to-face talks on Sunday, after several days of delay, to thrash out a ceasefire deal and end weeks of ethnic fighting in the world’s youngest state.
Iraqi army shells Falluja to try to dislodge Qaeda, tribes
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi troops trying to retake Anbar province from a mixture of Islamist and tribal foes battled al Qaeda fighters in Ramadi on Saturday after shelling the western region’s other main city, Falluja, overnight, tribal leaders and offi…
Kerry sees progress on Israeli-Palestinian framework deal
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – Israel and the Palestinians are making progress towards a “framework agreement” to guide their talks on a formal peace deal but still have some way to go, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday.
Italian junior minister who demanded government reshuffle resigns
ROME (Reuters) – Italian deputy economy minister Stefano Fassina resigned on Saturday, after calling for a cabinet reshuffle following the election of Matteo Renzi to lead his Democratic Party (PD), the biggest in the coalition, a government spokesman …
Afghan Taliban claim attack on NATO convoy in Kabul
KABUL (Reuters) – The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility for an attack on a military convoy belonging to the NATO-led ISAF security force in Kabul on Saturday, striking at the heart of the capital but without causing any casualties.
Bangladesh election marred by opposition boycott, violence
DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladesh holds a parliamentary election on Sunday, a contest boycotted by the main opposition, marred by violence that has killed more than 100 people and shunned by international observers.
Mali, Niger evacuate citizens from Central African Republic
BANGUI (Reuters) – African countries have started evacuating their citizens from the Central African Republic in recent days amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions and inter-religious violence.
Egypt summons Qatari envoy after criticisms of crackdown
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s foreign ministry summoned Qatar’s ambassador on Saturday to complain about interference in its internal affairs after Doha criticized Cairo’s crackdown on the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.
Brazil’s Silva plans to run for vice president with Campos: Globo
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Former Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva has agreed to run for vice president in October elections on the presidential ticket of Eduardo Campos, the governor of Brazil’s Pernambuco state, Globo newspaper reported on…
