Reuters, Brussels
The center-right is set to remain the biggest group in the EU legislature after elections in May that should also show a surge in seats for the far-right, a survey by the European Parliament showed on Monday.
The German Christian Democrat CDU/CSU alliance led by Chancellor Angela Merkel would remain the biggest single party with 29 seats, but only just ahead of Italy’s League, the far-right group now in government in Rome.
Don’t abandon us, Syrian Kurds tell Europe
AFP, Paris
A top Kurdish official has called on Europe not to abandon Syrian Kurds once the battle against the Islamic State group is over and to help set up an international force to protect them from Turkey.
European powers “have a political and moral responsibility” to the Kurds, Aldar Khalil told AFP in a interview in Paris, warning that the Kurds would seek the protection of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad if failed by Europe and the US.
Yemen sides agree deal on first
pullback: UN
AFP, United Nations
Yemen’s government and Huthi rebels have agreed on the first phase of a pullback of forces from the key city of Hodeida, in a deal the United Nations described Sunday as important progress.
The redeployment from Hodeida is a critical part of a ceasefire deal reached in December in Sweden that calls on the government and Huthis to move forces away from ports and parts of city.
US-Taliban talks postponed to February 25
PTI, Islamabad
The talks between US and Afghan Taliban slated for Monday have been postponed, according to the insurgent group which alleged that some members of its negotiating team could not travel to Pakistan for the meeting due to sanctions imposed by America and the UN. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid announced last week that talks with the US will take place in Pakistan’s capital, while they will also meet Prime Minister Imran Khan.
UK teen who joined ISIS gives birth to baby
AFP, London
A runaway teenager who has divided British opinion after joining ISIS in Syria but now wants to return home, has given birth, her family said on Sunday.
Shamima Begum, whose fate has prompted British soul-searching since she and two friends stirred controversy by fleeing to the terror network in 2015, gave birth to a boy, according to family lawyer Mohammed Akunjee.
“We, the family of Shamima Begum, have been informed that Shamima has given birth to her child,” a statement he released on Twitter said.
