1. UN Endorses Syria Peace Plan in Rare Show of Unity
The UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution endorsing an international road map for a Syrian peace process, in a rare show of unity among the major global powers on a conflict that has claimed more than a quarter million lives.
2. Iran to Match Stance With Russia in Push for Syria Deal
Iran has decided to unify its stance with Russia in the push for a political deal to end Syria’s civil war, Iranian officials say, in a sign it could ease its opposition to the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as part of the agreement.
3. African Union Readies 5,000 Peacekeepers for Burundi Crisis
The African Union said it is preparing to send 5,000 peacekeepers to Burundi to protect civilians caught up in a growing crisis, for the first time using powers to deploy troops to a member country against its will.
4. New Afghan Political Group Poses Challenge to Ghani Government
A group including figures from Afghanistan’s anti-Soviet Mujahideen of the 1980s on Friday launched a new political bloc likely to increase the pressure on President Ashraf Ghani’s struggling unity government.
5. Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Draws Up New Economic Reforms
Saudi Arabia’s deputy crown prince privately outlined plans to reshape the economy to withstand low oil prices, sources say, in what could be the biggest policy shake-up since the Kingdom’s economy was hurt by cheap oil over decade ago.
6. Yemen Govt Takes Northwest City, UN Concern at Truce Violations
Yemeni troops loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi gained control of an important northwestern city on Friday, residents and tribal sources say, as the UN scurried to salvage an increasingly fragile ceasefire.
7. Sanders Takes US Democratic Officials to Court in Data Breach Fight
US Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders sued the Democratic National Committee in federal court to regain access to crucial voter files and accused party leaders of trying to undermine his White House bid and help rival Hillary Clinton.
8. Chicago Protesters Call for Mayor to Step Down Over Police Brutality
Several hundred protesters marched through downtown Chicago, calling on Mayor Rahm Emanuel to step down over complaints of abusive policing and a lack of accountability in the police department.
9. Brazil’s Rousseff Picks Close Aide to Replace Levy, Lead Economy
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff named leftist economist and close aide Nelson Barbosa to replace fiscally conservative Finance Minister Joaquim Levy, signaling a dramatic break with deficit-cutting policies her administration pursues for most of this year.
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