EU prolongs economic sanctions on Russia until 31 Jan 2017
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union on Friday extended its economic sanctions on Russia until the end of January next year in a widely expected decision after EU leaders called for more progress in bringing peace to eastern Ukraine.
Syrian warplane crashes near Damascus, rebels seize pilot: monitors
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Syrian warplane crashed northeast of Damascus on Friday and its pilot was captured by rebels in the area, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Taiwan Navy fires missile in error as China’s Communists mark birthday
TAIPEI (Reuters) – The Taiwan Navy fired a supersonic missile in error and hit a Taiwan fishing boat in waters separating the island from diplomatic rival China on Friday, as Communist Party rulers in Beijing celebrated the party’s 95th birthday.
U.S. downgrades Myanmar, raises Thailand in human trafficking report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States has placed Myanmar, Uzbekistan, Sudan and Haiti on its list of worst human trafficking offenders, drawing guarded praise from some human rights groups following criticism that last year’s State Department report was politicized.
Tunisian prisoners tell of life with Islamic State in Libya
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – When a U.S. air strike hit Sabratha in western Libya on Feb. 19, it reduced a building on the southern fringes of the city to rubble, killing dozens of militants and exposing a network of Islamic State cells operating just near the …
Six killed in gun attack on two buses in Kenya’s Mandera
NAIROBI (Reuters) – At least six people were killed when gunmen sprayed two buses with bullets on Friday in Kenya’s Mandera county on the border with Somalia, a regional official said.
Vietnamese scoff at bike-ban plan as motorcycles engulf capital
HANOI (Reuters) – World famous for its endless swarms of motorcycles, Vietnam is considering banning bikes in the capital over fears its leafy streets will become overrun as the population swells and its middle class buys up cars in record numbers.
India’s first indigenous combat plane enters service after 33 years
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s first locally-built combat aircraft officially took to the skies on Friday, 33 years after it was cleared for development, marking a long-held goal of cutting expensive imports to build a domestic defense-industrial base.
French charity official says stabbed by couple shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’: media
PARIS (Reuters) – French police opened an investigation on Friday after a director at the French Restos du Coeur charity said he had been stabbed earlier in the day by a couple shouting “Allahu Akbar,” French radio Europe 1 said.
Australian election seen as a dead heat, minor parties likely powerbrokers
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia braced for an election that was too close to call on Friday, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warning of economic chaos if his gamble on an early poll backfires and leaves him without the outright majority he needs to e…
