‘Utter devastation’ after major quake, aftershocks hit New Zealand
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake pummeled central New Zealand early on Monday, killing at least two people, damaging roads and buildings and setting off hundreds of strong aftershocks.
Turkey-backed Syria rebels poised to attack IS-held city
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian rebels backed by Turkey were poised to begin an assault to try to drive Islamic State from the Syrian city of al-Bab, two of their commanders said on Monday, a battle that could also prompt new fighting with Kurdish groups tha…
Islamic State uses wooden tanks and bearded mannequins in decoy attempts
BAWIZA, Iraq (Reuters) – Islamic State is using wooden replicas of tanks and Humvees in a bid to subvert an air campaign by the U.S.-led military coalition supporting Iraqi forces in the Mosul operations, even using bearded mannequins to simulate jihad…
Julian Assange questioned by prosecutors at Ecuador’s embassy in London
LONDON (Reuters) – WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faced questioning on Monday by prosecutors at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he has been holed up for four years, over allegations he committed rape in 2010.
Air strikes destroy hospital in Aleppo countryside: monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Air strikes destroyed the only hospital in the rebel-held town of Atareb in the countryside west of Aleppo on Monday, wounding several members of the medical staff, a war monitor said.
South Africa’s Malema tells backers to seize white-owned land, defying court
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African opposition firebrand Julius Malema told his followers on Monday to seize any piece of white-owned land they wanted, defying a court trying him on charges of inciting violent property grabs.
EU says to stick to Iran rapprochement despite Trump’s criticism
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union said on Monday it would keep pushing to restore ties with Iran in line with last year’s nuclear deal, which U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has said he will rescind.
Putin may discuss Syria with Obama in Peru: Kremlin spokesman
(Reuters) – Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama may discuss developments around Syria when both leaders come to Peru later this week, state TASS agency quoted Kremlin’s spokesman as saying on Monday.
Britain building contacts with President-elect Trump: PM’s spokeswoman
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain has established ways of contacting President-elect Donald Trump and is building contacts with him, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday when asked about a U.S. trip by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage.
Turkey closes Syrian border gate after clashes: governor
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Turkey temporarily closed a border gate with Syria on Monday near its southeastern province of Kilis after clashes broke out across the border, security sources and the provincial governor said.
