Dozens of Syrian rebels and Kurds killed in clashes
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A surge of clashes in Syria’s oil-producing northeast has killed dozens of rebels and Kurdish fighters in the past two days, activists said on Thursday, in fighting that highlights a struggle for territory and resources.
Insight: Syria government struggles with supplies, but holding on
BEIRUT/ABU DHABI (Reuters) – For a government under siege from rebels and international sanctions, President Bashar al-Assad’s administration shows no lack of confidence in being able to go on feeding its people.
Merkel’s challenger redoubles attacks as polls improve
BERLIN (Reuters) – Encouraged by late gains in opinion polls following his strong debate performances against Angela Merkel, German center-left challenger Peer Steinbrueck has sharpened the tone of his attacks on the chancellor in a bid to close the ga…
Gaza Palestinians feel pain of new Egypt border restrictions
GAZA (Reuters) – Hooked up to a dialysis machine, Samir Abu Tahoun can only sit and wait for the gates to a new life to open.
Central African Republic court jails first group of ex-rebels
BANGUI (Reuters) – A court in Central African Republic has sentenced 17 Seleka fighters to eight years in prison for theft, rape and pillage, the first ex-rebels to be punished for a wave of violence that has gripped the country since they seized power…
Assad says chemical handover not result of U.S. threat: Interfax
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Syria decided to cede control of its chemical weapons because of a Russian proposal and not the threat of U.S. military intervention, Interfax news agency quoted President Bashar al-Assad as saying in a Russian television interview.
In sensitive case, Egypt acquits alleged killers of 2011 protesters
CAIRO (Reuters) – An Egyptian court on Thursday acquitted all 14 defendants, including policemen, accused of killing 17 protesters during the bloodiest day of a revolt that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak over two years ago, judicial sources said.
U.S. reversal on Syria a blow to Gulf allies but arms to keep flowing
RIYADH/DOHA (Reuters) – Washington’s last-minute decision to call off military strikes against Syria deals a blow to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but the states that arm rebels battling President Bashar al-Assad will not soon give up on a war that has alrea…
Yemeni president reinstates hundreds of war sacked officers
DUBAI (Reuters) – Yemen’s president has ordered the reinstatement of hundreds of senior army and intelligence officers sacked after a 1994 civil war, to hasten reconciliation talks aimed at ending years of political turmoil in the U.S.-allied country.
Nigerian army says kills 10 Boko Haram Islamists in gunfight
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Nigerian soldiers have killed 10 members of Islamist sect Boko Haram in the volatile northeast, the military said on Thursday, as President Goodluck Jonathan pursues a four-month-old offensive against resilient insurgents…
