Syrian govt. presses Idlib offensive as people flee homes in the cold
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Rapid advances by the Syrian army into rebels’ largest remaining stronghold, Idlib province, have brought it closer to a key insurgent-held military airport and displaced tens of thousands of people struggling to find shelter in wint…
U.S. targets former Venezuela food minister in new sanctions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States imposed sanctions on Friday on four current or former Venezuelan government officials, including an ex-food minister who is accused of corruption and mismanagement of the country’s food supply.
Turkey’s Erdogan says some journalists nurture terrorism through writing
PARIS (Reuters) – Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday some journalists helped nurture terrorists through their writing, after his French counterpart told a joint news conference that countries must respect the law in their fight against te…
Half as many migrants landed in Europe in 2017 as 2016: IOM
GENEVA (Reuters) – Slightly fewer than half as many migrants reached Europe by sea in 2017 than 2016, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Friday, with curbs finally cutting traffic on the deadly route from Libya to Italy.
U.S. adds four Venezuelans to sanctions list
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States imposed sanctions on Friday on four current or former Venezuelan government officials, including a former food minister accused by the opposition of corruptly managing food imports.
As Macron embarks on China tour, reciprocity is the word
PARIS (Reuters) – President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to China next week will be the first by a major European leader since the Communist party’s recent leadership congress, and he will use it to try to secure greater access for French companies and forg…
Rohingya insurgents launch ambush in Myanmar’s Rakhine, three hurt: army
YANGON (Reuters) – Rohingya Muslim insurgents ambushed a vehicle in western Myanmar’s Rakhine State on Friday, wounding three people, including two members of the security forces, the military said.
Georgian ex-president sentenced in absentia for abuse of power
TBILISI (Reuters) – A Georgian court sentenced former leader Mikheil Saakashvili in absentia to three years in prison on Friday for seeking to cover up evidence about the murder of a Georgian banker when he was president – a verdict which he denounced …
Spanish court rejects release for jailed Catalan separatist Junqueras
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s Supreme Court ordered on Friday that Catalan separatist leader Oriol Junqueras must remain in custody after over two months in prison while authorities investigate his role in the Spanish region’s independence movement.
Iran stages pro-government rallies, cleric urges firm punishment for protest leaders
ANKARA (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of government supporters rallied across Iran on Friday, swearing allegiance to the clerical establishment and accusing arch-enemy the United States of instigating the biggest anti-government protests for nearly a de…
