Winter closes in on refugees fleeing Iraq’s Mosul
HASAN SHAM CAMP, Iraq (Reuters) – Pushing his way through dozens of people, Iraqi teacher Umar Salah carries four bags containing 15 blankets and pots full of food through the gate of a camp overcrowded with civilians who fled Islamic State in Mosul.
Blast rocks northern Syrian town, deaths reported and wounded taken to Turkey: sources
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A blast ripped through a street in the northern Syrian town of al-Rai on Sunday in what was believed to be an Islamic State suicide bombing, with several deaths reported and security and hospital sources saying 12 wounded, mostly c…
Swiss reject quick exit from atomic power
ZURICH (Reuters) – Swiss voted in a referendum on Sunday to reject a speedy exit from the nation’s five nuclear power plants, as concerns over losing energy independence outweighed safety worries raised by the measure’s proponents.
Pakistan’s new army chief brings no change in policy: defense minister
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – There will be no immediate shift in Pakistan’s military policy under the new army chief, the country’s defense minister said, after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appointed a new military leader on Saturday.
Philippines says 11 Islamic State sympathizers killed in southern siege
MANILA (Reuters) – Government troops have killed at least 11 members of a rebel group in the southern Philippines that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State, the military said, sending local communities fleeing as a battle raged on Sunday.
Brazil’s Temer says to veto any amnesty for election crimes
BRASILIA (Reuters) – President Michel Temer said on Sunday that he and leaders of Brazil’s Congress will not allow an amnesty for election slush funds sought by some lawmakers to avoid prosecution for receiving graft money.
Syrian army says it takes second east Aleppo district in two days
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian army said on Sunday it had taken control of the second residential district of the rebel-held eastern part of Aleppo city in two days.
South Africa’s Public Protector files complaint against predecessor for leaking Zuma interview: report
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – The new head of South Africa’s anti-graft unit, which this month alleged influence-peddling in President Jacob Zuma’s cabinet, has laid a complaint against her predecessor for leaking a recorded interview with the president, ne…
EU’s Juncker praises Renzi reforms ahead of Italy referendum: report
MILAN (Reuters) – European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker hopes Italians will not reject reforms sponsored by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi when they vote in a referendum over changing the country’s constitution, he told a newspaper on Sunday.
Syrian rebels hand in heavy weapons in besieged Damascus town
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian rebels handed in their heavy weapons in a town southwest of Damascus, on Sunday, as part of a deal they have made with the government to get safe passage to insurgent-controlled areas, state-affiliated media said.
