Months of conflict sour Turkey’s election in Kurdish southeast
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Five months ago thousands took to the streets in Turkey’s largely Kurdish southeast, dancing and setting off fireworks after a pro-Kurdish opposition party entered parliament for the first time. Now, the region is prepari…
After landslide poll win, Ivory Coast’s Ouattara says crisis in past
ABIDJAN (Reuters) – Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara, who won a landslide victory in a weekend poll, said on Wednesday that the first peaceful presidential election since a 2011 civil war will allow his country to move on after years of turmoi…
Austria hopes border barriers will slow migrants
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austria on Wednesday outlined plans to build barriers including a fence at a busy border crossing to slow an influx of migrants as Germany accused Austrian authorities of shuttling groups of refugees in its direction after dark.
Tanzania opposition calls for vote recount, Zanzibar poll nullified
DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) – Tanzania’s opposition presidential candidate Edward Lowassa on Wednesday called for a recount of Sunday’s election for the presidency, citing voting irregularities in the East African nation’s tightest elections in more than f…
Colombia’s Santos sees prospect of ceasefire with FARC starting January 1
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos said on Wednesday he is confident he will be in a position to call a ceasefire with Marxist FARC rebels starting New Year’s Day if the fifth and final agenda point at peace talks is completed.
Rwanda MPs debate constitutional change for president’s third term
KIGALI (Reuters) – Rwanda’s lower house of parliament debated on Wednesday a constitutional change that would allow President Paul Kagame to run for a third term, a move opposed by the United States and other donors.
Iraq to adjust military spending, hire 10,000 new forces: minister
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – A financial squeeze is forcing Iraq to put major weapons deals on hold, but the country will hire 10,000 additional paramilitary forces seen as critical in the fight against Islamic State, its finance minister said on Wednesday.
Ousting of Rome mayor shows Italy’s resistance to change
ROME (Reuters) – The resignation of Rome’s mayor over allegations he fiddled his dining expenses may at first sight suggest Italy is finally getting tough on corruption. In reality, his troubles show just how resistant to change the country is.
U.S. weighs special forces in Syria, helicopters in Iraq
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is considering sending a small number of special operations forces to Syria and attack helicopters to Iraq as it weighs options to build momentum in the battle against Islamic State, U.S. officials said on Tuesd…
No physical signs Russian soldier who died in Syria hanged himself: father
GRECHANAYA BALKA, Russia (Reuters) – The family of the first Russian soldier confirmed dead in Syria buried their son in a village graveyard on Wednesday, with his father saying there were no signs on the body to support the official account he had han…
