Sri Lanka scraps security firm’s deals on running floating armories
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Sri Lankan President Maitripala Sirisena on Wednesday revoked all deals by a private security firm related to running “floating armories”, a government spokesman said, the latest move in a scandal which has brought down a government…
Myanmar army, president endorse Suu Kyi victory, vow stable transition
YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar President Thein Sein and the powerful army congratulated democratic champion Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday, after her party trounced the ruling camp in the first free election in 25 years and was closing in on an absolute maj…
UAE officer denies Yemen civilian deaths caused by air power
DUBAI (Reuters) – The head of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) air force on Wednesday dismissed charges that Arab coalition air power caused regular civilian casualties in Yemen’s war, saying warplanes used precision weapons and raids needed multiple app…
Croatia’s likely kingmaker wants all key parties in new government
ZAGREB (Reuters) – The head of Croatia’s new reformist party, which is likely to hold the balance of power in forming a new government, said on Wednesday it wanted a government of national unity that included itself and the two major parties.
U.N. rights experts urge Iran to release journalists
GENEVA (Reuters) – United Nations human rights investigators called on Iran on Wednesday to cease arresting, harassing and prosecuting journalists and other activists to pave the way for free debate ahead of parliamentary elections in February.
Slovenia putting up fence along border with Croatia to control migrant flow
LJUBLJANA/VELIKI OBREZ, Slovenia (Reuters) – Slovenia began erecting a razor wire fence along parts of its border with Croatia on Wednesday, saying it wanted better control over a tide of migrants flowing through the tiny country en route to other area…
Turkey’s Erdogan puts Syria, Iraq on G20 leaders’ agenda
ANKARA (Reuters) – President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday he wanted world leaders to discuss conflicts in Syria and Iraq at a G20 summit in Turkey this weekend and is ready to take “stronger steps” in the region after polls this month strengthened …
Bahrain opposition figure jailed on incitement charges, BNA reports
DUBAI (Reuters) – A Bahraini criminal court sentenced senior opposition figure Majeed Milad to two years in prison for incitement to public disobedience of the law, state-run Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
With Ramadi encircled, Iraqi forces brace for urban warfare
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi forces appear better positioned than ever to launch an offensive against Islamic State militants controlling Ramadi, now that months-long efforts to cut off supply lines to the city are having an effect, but plenty of risks re…
Ten killed in fighting with Kurdish militants, barricades in flashpoint town
SILVAN, Turkey (Reuters) – Ten people have been killed in Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast since late on Tuesday, security sources said, as the military moved against rebels who dug trenches, erected barriers and planted explosives in one flashpoint t…
