Kabul demands British forces transfer prisoners within weeks
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Saturday demanded that Britain hand over within two weeks more than 80 prisoners of war being held in a British base in the south, saying the detention was against Afghan law and a breach of sovereignt…
Three Americans killed after argument with Afghan soldier: officials
KABUL (Reuters) – Three Americans, two soldiers and a civilian, were killed in Afghanistan on Saturday when a man in an Afghan army uniform turned his weapon on them in the eastern province of Paktika, the NATO-led force said.
Angry Pakistan summons envoy after U.S. drone strike kills nine
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) – A U.S. drone strike killed nine people in northwest Pakistan, security officials said, prompting newly sworn-in Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to summon America’s envoy on Saturday to protest against such attacks.
Syrian forces capture final rebel stronghold in Qusair region
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian government troops backed by Hezbollah guerrillas seized the western village of Buwayda on Saturday, ending rebel resistance around the town of Qusair in a fresh success for President Bashar al-Assad.
G8 host Britain calls for action to save children from hunger
LONDON (Reuters) – Setting the stage for this month’s G8 summit of rich industrialized countries, British Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday called for fresh approaches to help eliminate malnutrition and hunger among the world’s poorest children….
Mali government starts ceasefire talks with Tuareg rebels
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) – Mali’s government and Tuareg separatist rebels began talks on Saturday that both sides said they hoped would lead to a ceasefire ahead of national elections next month and pave the way for a permanent peace deal.
Mandela in ‘serious’ condition in hospital
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Former South African president and anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela was in a “serious but stable” condition on Saturday after being taken to hospital with a recurrence of a lung infection, the government said.
At least 18 dead in battle over disputed Somali port city
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – At least 18 people have been killed in gunbattles in southern Somalia’s Kismayu, residents said on Saturday, in the heaviest fighting the disputed port city has seen in more than four years.
Merkel urges more EU structural reforms
BERLIN (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel urged European Union countries on Saturday to carry out further structural reforms, saying Germany could only remain in good shape if the European economy recovers.
China bus fire kills 47, blamed on suicidal man
BEIJING (Reuters) – A suicidal man started a fire on a bus in China that killed 47 people, state media said on Saturday, a disaster that came just days after 120 people died in a fire at a poultry plant.
