Brazil prosecutors methods questioned after Lula detained
BRASILIA (Reuters) – An investigation into a massive corruption scheme centered on Brazilian state oil company Petrobras enjoys overwhelming public support but concern is growing that prosecutors may be over-reaching as they pursue politicians and exec…
Militants attack checkpoint near Libya’s Misrata, air strikes hit Sirte
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Islamic State militants attacked a checkpoint south of the Libyan city of Misrata on Wednesday, killing three security personnel, a military source said, after an air strike in Sirte killed three children and wounded their mother.
Somali Islamists say base attacked, one fighter killed
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – The United States said Somalia’s army successfully conducted a mission to disrupt an illegal taxation checkpoint set up by al Shabaab Islamist militants south of the capital Mogadishu on Wednesday, and said American forces were present at the raid.
Biden, Netanyahu discuss Iran, Islamic State, Syria in Jerusalem meeting
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden discussed Iran, the threat from Islamic State militants and the crisis in Syria in a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Wednesday, the White House said in a statem…
Biden says his family was near scene of Tel Aviv attack
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said on Wednesday his wife Jill and their grandchildren were dining on a Tel Aviv beach when a Palestinian killed an American tourist with a knife and wounded 11 other people on the seafront “not very…
Clinton calls for sanctions on Iran after more missile tests
DUBAI (Reuters) – U.S. Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton on Wednesday called for sanctions against Iran after the Islamic Republic brushed off U.S. concerns and test-fired two ballistic missiles that it said were designed to be able …
Jamaica slow to put women in positions of political power, U.N. report says
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Jamaican women are largely cut off from positions of political power and need affirmative action as well as commitment from political parties to boost opportunities and train women for leadership, accord…
Yazidi teenager escaped Islamic State, appeals for help for sex slaves
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – It was a “black morning” two years ago when Islamic State militants seized the Yazidi town of Sinjar in northwest Iraq, abducting thousands of civilians including a 15-year-old girl and 27 members of her family.
U.S. general concerned about lack of partner against Islamic State in Syria
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. general nominated to lead U.S. forces in the Middle East told lawmakers on Wednesday that he was concerned about the lack of a reliable partner in Syria in the fight against Islamic State and would look carefully at Washin…
Saudi Arabia, Houthis swap prisoners, raising hopes of peace talks
CAIRO/RIYADH (Reuters) – A Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said on Wednesday it had exchanged prisoners with its Houthi opponents and also welcomed a pause in combat on the border, prompting hopes of a push to end the year-long war that has kille…
