Category: POLICY + POLITICS

Hezbollah, Syrian government forces advance in border town

Hezbollah, Syrian government forces advance in border town

By Erika Solomon BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian government forces and the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah launched a fierce campaign to seize more rebel territory in the border town of Qusair on Saturday, sources on both sides of the conflict said. Rebels fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad said additional tanks and artillery had been deployed [...]

In Syria’s shadow, Iraq violence presents new test for U.S.

In Syria’s shadow, Iraq violence presents new test for U.S.

By Warren Strobel WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Saddled with Middle East problems ranging from Iran to Syria and beyond, President Barack Obama now faces one that is both old and new: Iraq. Unresolved sectarian tensions, inflamed by the raging civil war in neighboring Syria, have combined to send violence in Iraq to its highest level since [...]

Judge rules against ‘America’s toughest sheriff’ in racial profiling lawsuit

Judge rules against ‘America’s toughest sheriff’ in racial profiling lawsuit

By Tim Gaynor and David Schwartz PHOENIX (Reuters) – Arizona lawman Joe Arpaio violated the constitutional rights of Latino drivers in his crackdown on illegal immigration, a federal judge found on Friday, and ordered him to stop using race as a factor in law enforcement decisions. The ruling against the Maricopa County sheriff came in [...]

Sixth night of violence in Sweden, but police say capital calmer

Sixth night of violence in Sweden, but police say capital calmer

By Mia Shanley STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Community patrols and a beefed-up police presence helped to calm violence around Stockholm overnight on Saturday but 20 to 30 cars were still torched in poor immigrant suburbs and serious incidents were reported outside the capital for the first time. The rioting in Stockholm abated after a week of [...]

Taliban attack international compound in Afghan capital

Taliban attack international compound in Afghan capital

By Amie Ferris-Rotman and Mirwais Harooni KABUL (Reuters) – Taliban militants launched a large-scale attack involving the United Nations in the center of the Afghan capital Kabul on Friday, sparking a five-hour battle with security forces. A plume of smoke hung over Kabul after the attack was launched, with the sound of .50 caliber heavy [...]

Kerry says Israelis, Palestinians must make tough decisions

Kerry says Israelis, Palestinians must make tough decisions

By Arshad Mohammed TEL AVIV (Reuters) – Israeli and Palestinian leaders must decide soon on whether to revive long-dormant peace negotiations to end their decades-old conflict, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday. Ending two days of meetings in the region, Kerry said he had had "very productive" talks. But there were no [...]

U.S. casts doubt on credibility of Iran election

U.S. casts doubt on credibility of Iran election

By Arshad Mohammed TEL AVIV (Reuters) – The United States on Friday called into question the credibility of Iran’s presidential election next month, criticizing the disqualification of candidates and accusing Tehran of disrupting Internet access. On a visit to Israel, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also warned that time was running out to resolve [...]

Africa backs Kenya call for Hague court to drop Kenyatta case

Africa backs Kenya call for Hague court to drop Kenyatta case

By Aaron Maasho ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – African nations have backed a request by Kenya for charges of crimes against humanity by its president to be referred back to the east African country, African Union documents show. President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, are both facing trial in the International Criminal Court (ICC), [...]

Syria opposition unity talks face specter of collapse

Syria opposition unity talks face specter of collapse

By Khaled Yacoub Oweis ISTANBUL – Syrian opposition talks aimed at presenting a coherent front at an international peace conference to end the civil war faced the prospect of collapse after President Bashar al-Assad’s foes failed to cut an internal deal, opposition sources said on Friday. The failure of the Syrian National Coalition to alter [...]

North Korea says will take ‘positive steps’ for peace

North Korea says will take ‘positive steps’ for peace

By Terril Yue Jones and Sui-Lee Wee BEIJING (Reuters) – A North Korean envoy told China’s president on Friday that his reclusive country was willing to take "positive actions" to ensure peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, as China steps up diplomatic efforts to bring Pyongyang back to talks. But Choe Ryong-hae, a special [...]