Iraqi army fights to wrest northern town from militants
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi troops backed by helicopter gunships fought on Saturday to retake full control of a northern town from militants who overran parts of it earlier this week, the mayor and other local officials said.
Turkish PM tightens grip on judiciary in parliament vote
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s parliament approved a law boosting government control over the appointment of judges and prosecutors on Saturday, after a heated debate and a brawl that left one opposition lawmaker hospitalized.
French minister says CAR operation to last longer than expected
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s military operation in the Central African Republic will last longer than initially planned because the situation in the country is worse than anticipated, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Saturday.
Merkel coalition under strain over conservative minister’s ouster
BERLIN (Reuters) – Conservative allies of German Chancellor Angela Merkel rebuked their Social Democrat governing partner on Saturday over actions that led to the ouster of a minister, deepening concern about the future of her two-month-old “grand coal…
No date set for third round of Syria peace talks: opposition
GENEVA (Reuters) – No agreement was made on a date for a third round of Syria peace talks in Geneva during a final session between the government and opposition, Ahmad Jakal, opposition negotiator, said on Saturday.
Obama says considering new pressure on Syria’s Assad
RANCHO MIRAGE, California (Reuters) – President Barack Obama said on Friday he is considering new ways to pressure the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as he pledged fresh U.S. assistance to Jordan’s King Abdullah, whose country is reelin…
Two killed as more storms batter Britain
LONDON (Reuters) – Two people were killed and 32 people were rescued from a seaside restaurant on Friday as storms and strong winds battered Britain, adding more misery to areas already hit by widespread flooding and transport chaos.
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary rejects charges country lurching toward militarism
TOKYO (Reuters) – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s most influential aide on Saturday rejected criticism from China that Japan is lurching toward militarism and said Tokyo would keep seeking dialogue with both Beijing and Seoul, ties with which have been bad…
Thai protesters still in place, vow to press on with campaign
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Anti-government protesters vowed on Saturday to maintain their campaign to unseat Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra despite dwindling numbers on the streets and a first tentative move by police against sites they are occupying…
Lebanon’s Hariri vows to confront Sunni radicals
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Leading Lebanese politician Saad al-Hariri vowed on Friday to tackle sectarian radicalism in his Sunni sect but said Shi’ite Hezbollah must end its involvement in Syria if Lebanon is to avoid being drawn into a “sectarian holocaust”….
