Islamic State attacks north of Baghdad kill 16, sources say
TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) – Shooting and bomb attacks claimed by Islamic State killed at least 16 people north of Baghdad on Friday, days after Islamic State’s deadliest blasts so far this year in the capital stirred public criticism of government securit…
Top Hezbollah commander killed in Damascus blast
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Hezbollah’s top military commander Mustafa Badreddine has been killed in a blast at a base near Damascus airport, the Lebanese Shi’ite group said on Friday, one of the biggest blows to its leadership the Iranian-backed organization h…
Norway helicopter crash investigation focuses on rotor blade mounting
OSLO (Reuters) – An investigation into the cause of a fatal North Sea helicopter crash is focusing on the parts of the aircraft that connected the rotor blades to the main body of the helicopter, investigators said on Friday.
Russia will act to neutralize U.S. missile shield threat: Putin
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – A ballistic missile defense shield which the United States has activated in Europe is a step to a new arms race, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, vowing to adjust budget spending to neutralize “emerging threats…
Venezuela looters target chicken, flour amid worsening shortages
SAN CRISTOBAL, Venezuela (Reuters) – Mobs in Venezuela have stolen flour, chicken and even underwear this week as looting increases across the crisis-hit OPEC nation where many basic products have run short.
Brazil’s Temer calls for unity, confidence for Brazil recovery
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s interim President Michel Temer called on his country to rally behind his government of “national salvation,” hours after the Senate voted to suspend and put on trial his leftist predecessor, Dilma Rousseff, for breaking bu…
Vatican plays down expectations over women as deacons in Church
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The Vatican played down on Friday expectations that Pope Francis might be ready to ordain women as deacons after he had raised hopes among liberal Catholics by promising to set up a commission to study the issue.
Italy ups migrant controls at Alpine pass to stop Austrian checks
ROME (Reuters) – Italy said on Friday it had deployed 110 more guards to keep migrants from traveling into Austria, after Vienna threatened to introduce tighter border controls that could have hurt trade.
Editors leave Russian media group over Kremlin pressure: source
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Three top editors from Russia’s RBC media group, whose reports about Vladimir Putin have irked the Kremlin, left their jobs on Friday with one source saying they were worried their managers were bowing to Kremlin pressure over their …
Women boxers punch through social taboos in Sudan
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Sweat drips from Arafat Abkar’s brow as she dodges blows in an open-air arena in Khartoum’s searing summer heat. Wearing only shorts and a t-shirt, the 22-year-old draws crowds in a country where Muslim mores mean women’s boxing is…
