1. A Hug and High Tea: Indian PM Makes Surprise Visit to Pakistan
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes a surprise stopover in Pakistan to meet his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, the first visit by an Indian premier in more than a decade. Mistrust runs deep between the nuclear-armed arch-rivals, especially over the disputed Kashmir region.
2. Top Syrian Rebel Leader Killed in Air Strike Near Damascus
The head of the most powerful Syrian insurgent group in the rebel-held suburbs of Damascus is killed by a Russian air strike on the secret headquarters of his group, rebel sources say.
3. Buses to Ship Out 2,000 Besieged Syrian Islamist Fighters – Hezbollah TV
Two thousand Syrian Islamist fighters are expected to be evacuated soon from besieged, rebel-held areas of southern Damascus in a UN-brokered deal, Hezbollah TV says, marking a success for President Bashar al-Assad over rebel foes.
4. Iraqi Forces Consolidate Position in Ramadi Ahead of Final Push Against ISIS
Iraqi troops that have fought their way deep into the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) stronghold of Ramadi are consolidating their positions ahead of a planned final assault to capture the city.
5. ISIS Sanctions Organ Harvesting – Seized Document
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has sanctioned the harvesting of human organs in a previously undisclosed ruling by the group’s Islamic scholars, raising concerns that the ultra-hardline militant group may be trafficking in body parts.
6. Death Sentence for Myanmar Men Spurs Protest Against Thais
Hundreds in Myanmar call for the release of two Myanmar migrant workers a day after a Thai court sentenced the two to death for the 2014 murders of two young British tourists.
7. Japan Foreign Minister Going to Seoul in ‘Comfort Women’ Row
Japan’s foreign minister will visit Seoul on Monday to meet his South Korean counterpart for talks aimed at an early resolution to a row over comfort women, as those forced to work in Japan’s wartime military brothels are euphemistically known.
8. Turkish ‘Cleansing’ Operation Rocks Southeastern Cities
Explosions and gunfire resound around the southeastern Turkish town of Cizre after a clash overnight that the army says killed six Kurdish militants and one soldier, as a security operation there enters its 11th day.
9. Ethiopian Opposition Figures Arrested Over Land Protests
Ethiopian police have arrested two senior opposition members on suspicion of inciting weeks of protests against government plans to set up a new economic zone near the capital that would displace farmers, their party leader says.
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