Is the Taliban changing?

May 04, 2015 - Daily News Briefing

The rise of the Islamic State may be pushing the Taliban toward compromise with the Afghan government.

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Ships rescued 3,690 migrants in just one day from smugglers' boats on the Mediterranean Sea off the Libyan coast, the Italian Coast Guard said Sunday. The agency said 17 different rescue operations were carried out Saturday after smugglers took advantage of calm seas and warm weather to move the migrants out of Africa on motorized rubber dinghies and fishing boats. Some of the migrants were being brought Sunday to ports in Sicily while others were expected to reach Calabria, in the south of the Italian mainland, on Monday, as temporary shelters for those rescued were reaching full capacity on the Mediterranean island.

Boko Haram fighters killed older boys and men in front of their families before taking women and children into the forest where many died, freed captives said on Sunday after they were brought to a government refugee camp. The Nigerian army rescued hundreds of women and children last week from the Islamist fighters in northern Nigeria's Sambisa Forest in a major operation that has turned international attention to the plight of hostages.

With four days to go till Britain's election, leaders of the country's main political parties were using the long weekend to make a final push to win over undecided voters before the vote. Prime Minister David Cameron and his rivals were out Sunday rallying support for the May 7 election, widely expected to be the most unpredictable in decades. Most opinion polls suggest that the ruling Conservatives and their main opponents, the Labour Party, are neck and neck, each hovering around the 30 to 35 percent mark. If no party wins a majority, some form of coalition government appears likely.

Republican House Speaker John Boehner challenged Hillary Clinton on Sunday to help the White House get trade legislation through the U.S. Congress by speaking out in favor of it. Lawmakers are debating whether to give President Barack Obama "fast-track" authority to negotiate deals such as the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Trade is a rare issue on which the White House enjoys support from Republicans, but many Democrats are opposed.

A man accused of shooting a New York City police officer in the head was ordered held without bail Sunday on charges including attempted murder. Demetrius Blackwell appeared in court for his arraignment in a torn jumpsuit with his hands cuffed behind his back and legs shackled. He was arrested Saturday night in the shooting of Officer Brian Moore, who remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition after hours of surgery. Officials said Moore was shot on a Queens street after he and his patrol partner — in an unmarked police car — pulled up to a man adjusting his waistband in a suspicious way.

Britain's retailers might just be rejoicing as much as Kate and Wills about the birth of a new baby princess. Baby boutiques, clothing stores and fashion designers received a gift that will keep on giving when the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a girl, and all the marketing opportunities she provides, instead of another boring boy, retail experts say. From christening gown to wedding dress, and all the hairstyles in between, every trend the newest royal sets will be fodder for girls seeking to emulate a real life princess.

“The object of the Monitor is to injure no man, but to bless all mankind.” – Mary Baker Eddy

The Daily News Briefing is published Monday through Friday by The Christian Science Publishing Society in Boston, Massachusetts.

To send a comment to the Editor, email editor@csmonitor.com.

“The object of the Monitor is to injure no man, but to bless all mankind.” – Mary Baker Eddy

The Daily News Briefing is published Monday through Friday by The Christian Science Publishing Society in Boston, Massachusetts.

To send a comment to the Editor, email editor@csmonitor.com.

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