U.N. urges states to release details on 1961 UN chief plane crash
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday urged the United States, Britain, Belgium, France, Germany, South Africa and others to release any information they have on a 1961 plane crash that killed then Secretary-General…
ANC vote stirs debate over succession of South Africa’s Zuma
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – A hotly contested party vote earlier this month has deepened divisions within South Africa’s ruling African National Congress and stirred debate over President Jacob Zuma’s successor.
Belgium pledges security crackdown on Islamist violence
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Belgium will introduce laws to jail jihadists returning from Syria and shut unregistered mosques, Prime Minister Charles Michel said on Thursday, launching a crackdown in response to the role of militants based in his country in th…
International court urged to reform or risk losing Africa
THE HAGUE (Reuters) – The International Criminal Court faced calls to change its approach in Africa or face losing some of its largest members as Kenya and South Africa joined forces at its general assembly to lobby for more freedom to interpret the co…
Iraq’s paramilitaries demand more cash for Islamic State fight, testing PM
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi paramilitaries seen as essential in fighting Islamic State are resisting moves to rein in their budget, highlighting the challenge of imposing government authority on one of the country’s most powerful forces.
EU to tighten external border checks after Paris attacks
BRUSSELS/AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The European Union will tighten checks at external borders of the passport-free Schengen area, including for its own citizens who enjoy free movement within the bloc, to boost security after the attacks in Paris by armed …
Syrian rebel group studies local truce near Damascus
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A powerful Syrian rebel group said on Thursday it was studying a local ceasefire proposal put forward by an international mediator aimed at halting fighting with government forces near Damascus.
Israel says 55 Iranians killed in Syria’s war
TEL AVIV (Reuters) – Around 55 Iranian military personnel have been killed in Syria’s civil war, Israeli intelligence believes, and a think-tank close to Israel’s spy services said the toll is undermining support among Iranians for Iran’s actions in Sy…
Threat of Paris-style attack bursts Germans’ security bubble
BERLIN/MAINZ, Germany (Reuters) – After years of feeling insulated from militant Islamist threats, Germans are worrying that they too could be subject to attacks like those suffered last week in Paris.
Egypt, Russia sign deal to build a nuclear power plant
CAIRO (Reuters) – Moscow and Cairo signed an agreement on Thursday for Russia to build a nuclear power plant in Egypt, with Russia extending a loan to Egypt to cover the cost of construction.
