Blog

Al Qaeda calls Islamic State illegitimate but suggests cooperation

By Omar Fahmy CAIRO (Reuters) – Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri dismissed Islamic State and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as illegitimate but said his followers would join them in fighting the Western-led coalition in Iraq and Syria if possible. In an audiotape on the internet, Zawahri said: “We don’t recognize this caliphate.” It was not clear when the recording was made but references to events suggest it was made

Security forces lock down Beirut as politicians meet, protesters gather

By John Davison BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanese security services locked down central Beirut on Wednesday as ministers and parliamentarians met to discuss ways out of a political crisis that has paralyzed government and fueled a wave of street protests. Activists mobilizing against government failures, including a rubbish disposal crisis that has allowed garbage to pile up in Beirut, gathered for protests but were kept away from government buildings by soldiers

UK softens tone against Syria's Assad, moots transition period

By Kylie MacLellan and William James LONDON (Reuters) – Britain could accept Syrian President Bashar al-Assad staying in place for a transition period if it helped resolve the country’s conflict, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said on Wednesday, in what appeared to be a softening of tone on the Syrian leader. Britain, along with other Western countries, has repeatedly called for Assad to go, saying it is a precondition for bringing

US stocks rise following gains in Asia and Europe

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose in midday trading on optimism that policymakers in Asia will do more to help boost growth in the region. Japan’s stock market logged its biggest gain in almost seven years after comments from the country’s prime minister raised expectations of more measures to shore up economic growth. China’s No. 2 leader said that the nation had no plans to devalue its currency further

Group urges Republican candidates to defund Planned Parenthood

By Ginger Gibson WASHINGTON (Reuters) – An influential conservative group is calling on Republican presidential candidates to vow they will veto any future funding for women’s healthcare provider Planned Parenthood, which is under fire from abortion opponents. In a letter seen by Reuters that is being sent to all party hopefuls in the 2016 White House race, the ForAmerica advocacy group asks candidates to make “a firm commitment” to starve