EU blames Assad for chemical attack in nuanced message
VILNIUS (Reuters) – The European Union on Saturday laid the blame for an August chemical attack in Syria on the government of President Bashar al-Assad, but stopped short of explicitly supporting a military response by the West.
Kerry urges EU to postpone funding ban in Israeli-occupied territories
VILNIUS (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged the European Union on Saturday to postpone a planned ban on EU financial assistance to Israeli organizations in the occupied Palestinian territories, a U.S. official said.
German police probe blackmail attempt on Merkel’s challenger
BERLIN (Reuters) – German police said they were investigating an apparent attempt to blackmail Peer Steinbrueck, the Social Democrats’ (SPD) challenger to Angela Merkel in this month’s federal election, over a cleaner employed by his wife 14 years ago….
Pro-Israel U.S. lobbying group sets major push for Syria action
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The influential pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee will deploy hundreds of activists next week to win support in Congress for military action in Syria, amid an intense White House effort to convince wavering U.S….
Tokyo reassures IOC over Fukushima fears
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe assured the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Saturday that radiation leaks at the Fukushima nuclear plant were under control and did not pose any health risks.
Trio of cities in final push to win 2020 Games
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – After two years of intense lobbying and tens of millions of dollars spent, Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo have just a few remaining hours on Saturday to convince the International Olympic Committee to entrust them with the 2020 sum…
Germany backs G20 statement on Syria a day late
VILNIUS (Reuters) – Germany said on Saturday it would sign a Group of 20 statement that calls for a strong international response to Syria’s alleged gas attack, agreeing a day after other European powers because it wanted to ensure unity within the Eur…
Afghan woman MP released after three weeks in Taliban captivity
KABUL (Reuters) – A female Afghan parliamentarian held captive by Taliban for three weeks has been released in a prisoner exchange, Taliban and government officials said on Saturday.
Al Shabaab bombers strike Mogadishu restaurant, 15 dead
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Al Shabaab insurgents deployed a car bomb and a suicide bomber to attack a packed restaurant in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday, killing at least 15 people and wounding 23, police and hospital officials said.
Pakistan releases seven Afghan Taliban fighters
ISLAMABAD/KABUL (Reuters) – Pakistan freed a group of Afghan Taliban on Saturday in an attempt to improve its troubled relations with the South Asian neighbor, but risked angering Afghanistan by not handing them over directly to the Kabul authorities.
