Islamist rebels go into hiding ahead of Syria strikes
BEIRUT (Reuters) – An anticipated U.S.-led strike on Syria has not only put government forces on alert, it has also alarmed rebels, in particular Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda who worry they too are targets.
Members of House of Representatives to get White House briefing on Syria Sunday
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Members of the U.S. House of Representatives will receive a classified White House briefing on Sunday on the situation in Syria, House Speaker John Boehner’s office reported on Saturday.
U.N. weapons inspectors arrive in The Netherlands
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – A plane carrying U.N. weapons inspectors who had been gathering evidence and samples relating to alleged chemical weapons use in Syria landed at Rotterdam airport in The Netherlands on Saturday, an airport spokesman said.
Merkel urges more market rules, co-opts challenger’s pet issue
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would push the G20 to make more progress on regulating financial markets and crack down on tax evasion, co-opting signature policy issues of her main challenger in September’s elections.
U.N. staff quit Syria, warning on travel to Lebanon
AMMAN/DOHA (Reuters) – Dozens of U.N. staff have left Syria and several countries have warned citizens to stay away from neighboring Lebanon as regional tensions grow over a possible U.S.-led military strike.
Palestinian shot in clash with Israeli soldiers dies
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – A Palestinian shot by Israeli soldiers in clashes in the occupied West Bank this month died of his wounds on Saturday, hospital officials said.
Putin names new envoy for far east region after floods
VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin on Saturday named a new envoy to oversee Russia’s far eastern region, yet denied the switch was linked to his call for an inquiry into local officials’ handling of serious floods there.
Pope names diplomat as chief aide, changing tone at Vatican
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis attempted to set a new tone for a Vatican beset by scandals on Saturday by naming a veteran diplomat as secretary of state, a role often called the “deputy pope”.
Putin says would be ‘utter nonsense’ for Assad to use chemical arms
VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (Reuters) – Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday it would be “utter nonsense” for the Syrian government to use chemical weapons when it was winning its war with rebels, and urged U.S. President Barack Obama not to atta…
Syrian rebels plan raids to exploit Western strikes: commander
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Opposition fighters across Syria are preparing to launch attacks that exploit anticipated U.S.-led military strikes, but there are no plans to coordinate with Western forces, a Syrian rebel commander said on Saturday.
