U.S. diplomat to head to Venezuela as government, opposition agree on talks
CARACAS (Reuters) – A top U.S. diplomat will travel to Venezuela on Monday to support talks between the government and the opposition meant to ease an escalating political standoff amid a worsening economic crisis.
Lebanon’s Aoun wins presidency to end two year political vacuum
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Lebanese parliament elected former army commander Michel Aoun as president on Monday, ending a 29-month presidential vacuum in a political deal that secured victory for his Lebanese Shi’ite ally Hezbollah, Iran and Syria.
Nigeria to investigate alleged rapes by police and troops
LAGOS (Reuters) – Nigeria’s president has ordered an investigation into allegations by a rights group of rapes by soldiers and police of women and girls fleeing the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
Myanmar’s Suu Kyi under pressure as Rohingya crisis deepens
NAYPYITAW/YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi faces mounting criticism for her government’s handling of a crisis in Muslim-majority northern Rakhine State, where soldiers have blocked access for aid workers and are accused of raping an…
Libyan forces wary of civilians in push to oust last Islamic State fighters from Sirte: spokesman
SIRTE, Libya (Reuters) – U.S.-backed Libyan forces said they were trying to avoid harming trapped women and children as they thrust on Monday into the last patch of terrain held by Islamic State militants in their former stronghold of Sirte.
Exclusive: Nigerian militant group threatens more attacks if army campaign continues
LAGOS (Reuters) – A Nigerian militant group threatened on Monday to step up attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta if the president pursues a military campaign, casting a shadow over peace talks between the government and groups due to start on T…
Ukrainians shocked as politicians declare vast wealth
KIEV (Reuters) – An anti-corruption reform requiring senior Ukrainian officials to declare their wealth online has exposed a vast difference between the fortunes of politicians and those they represent.
Three Turkish soldiers, 13 PKK militants killed in clashes: sources
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Three Turkish soldiers and 13 Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants were killed on Monday during clashes in Turkey’s largely Kurdish southeast, security sources said.
Two years of fear: Christian widow survives Islamic State
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – An elderly Christian widow who survived two years of Islamic State rule over her northern Iraqi town said the jihadists threatened to kill her, forced her to spit on a crucifix and made her stamp on an image of the Virgin Mary.
China says ‘situation’ at disputed Scarborough Shoal has not changed
BEIJING/MANILA (Reuters) – China said on Monday the situation at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea “has not changed and will not change”, after the Philippines said Chinese vessels that blocked the area for four years had stopped ha…
