Protesters chant anti-Putin slogans at Moscow rally against retirement age plan
Thousands protested in central Moscow on Sunday against a proposed increase to the retirement age and the crowd chanted slogans critical of President Vladimir Putin whose approval ratings have been dented by the bill.
Turkey will stand up to U.S. in face of sanctions threat over American pastor: Erdogan
President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey will stand its ground after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to slap sanctions on Ankara if it does not free an American pastor, broadcaster Haberturk reported on Sunday.
Islamic State claims attack on Afghan midwife center: statement
Islamic State claimed responsibility on Sunday for an attack on a midwife training center in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad on Saturday that killed three staff.
Malians vote in presidential election amid worsening insecurity
Malians voted on Sunday to decide whether or not to give President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita a second term, amid widespread ethnic and jihadist violence that has dramatically worsened since he came to power five years ago.
Zimbabwe’s Mugabe backs opposition on eve of election
Former president Robert Mugabe said he would vote for Zimbabwe’s opposition in Monday’s election, turning on one-time allies in the government ahead of the first vote since they ousted him in a de facto coup.
Vote counting underway in Cambodia, PM Hun Sen set to extend rule
Vote counting got underway on Sunday in Cambodia in a contentious national election that rights groups said was neither free nor fair due to voter intimidation and the absence of any significant challenger to Prime Minister Hun Sen.
As U.S. pushes for Mideast peace, Saudi king reassures allies
Saudi Arabia has reassured Arab allies it will not endorse any Middle East peace plan that fails to address Jerusalem’s status or refugees’ right of return, easing their concerns that the kingdom might back a nascent U.S. deal which aligns with Israel …
Syrian army fights IS despite hostage threat
Pro-Syrian government forces advanced in an Islamic State pocket in southwest Syria on Sunday, a military media unit run by Damascus’ ally Hezbollah reported, despite a threat to hostages the jihadists seized last week.
‘Resistance continues’, says Palestinian teen freed from Israel jail
A Palestinian teenager released by Israel on Sunday after completing a prison term for kicking and slapping an Israeli soldier urged continued struggle against Israeli occupation of the West Bank, a call echoed by the Palestinian president.
On eve of election, Zimbabwe’s Mugabe condemns ruling party
The day before Zimbabwe’s first election since former president Robert Mugabe was ousted in a de facto coup, the 94-year-old said he hoped his former allies in the “military government” would be voted out of power.
