El Salvador sentences gang members to 390 years over massacre
SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) – A court in El Salvador on Wednesday sentenced seven members of a notorious criminal gang to 390 years in prison each for their part in a March 2016 massacre that shocked the crime-ravaged Central American country.
U.S. warship drill meant to defy China’s claim over artificial island: officials
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. warship carried out a “maneuvering drill” when it sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built up by China in the South China Sea, to show Beijing it was not entitled to a territorial sea around it, U.S. o…
Ex-Haiti president’s autopsy shows leader died of heart disease
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) – The eagerly anticipated results of an autopsy of former Haitian President Rene Preval showed the leader died in March after a heart irregularity cut off his ability to breathe, officials said on Wednesday.
Egypt blocks 21 websites, including Al Jazeera: state news agency
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt has banned 21 websites, including the main website of Qatar-based al Jazeera television, for “supporting terrorism”, state news agency MENA and security sources said on Wednesday.
U.S., Britain, U.N. wary of South Sudan ceasefire announcement
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United States, Britain and the United Nations were skeptical on Wednesday of South Sudan President Salva Kiir’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire, noting that it coincides with the start of the rainy season that tradi…
Lanterns, Korans as Jerusalem holy site meets Ramadan
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Jerusalem buzzes with renewed energy in the days before the start of Ramadan, Islam’s holy month, when the faithful abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.
Brazil’s Temer deploys army as protesters battle police
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Protesters demanding the resignation of Brazilian President Michel Temer staged running battles with police and set fire to a ministry building in Brasilia on Wednesday, prompting the scandal-hit leader to order the army onto the s…
U.S., Russia military increase communication in skies over Syria
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and Russia have increased communication to avoid warplane accidents in the skies over Syria as Islamic State militants lose territory and the air space becomes more crowded, a top U.S. Air Force official said on…
Egypt’s Sisi rejects Bashir accusations, says not conspiring against Sudan
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi rejected on Wednesday his Sudanese counterpart’s accusation that Cairo backs rebels aiming to topple the government in Khartoum, saying Egypt does not conspire against anyone.
Creator of Ukrainian anti-graft database accused of embezzlement: prosecutor
KIEV (Reuters) – The head of a Ukrainian software firm tasked with building a landmark anti-corruption computer program is suspected of stealing Western funds from the project and funneling the cash overseas, General Prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko said on W…
