Deposed former Central African Republic ruler Bozize barred from elections
BANGUI (Reuters) – Central African Republic’s (CAR) former president Francois Bozize, forced into exile two years ago, was not on the list of eligible candidates for this month’s elections, having said in August that he would return to stand.
Lake Chad suicide blasts stretch aid agencies, displaced ‘live in fear’
DAKAR (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – A series of suicide bombings in Lake Chad in recent months, blamed on Boko Haram militants, has hindered healthcare and aid delivery and left tens of thousands of displaced people living in fear of further violence,…
Syrian army, allies advance closer to Aleppo highway
AMMAN/BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian government forces backed by Iranian troops edged closer to a major rebel-controlled highway south of Aleppo on Tuesday, pushing further into insurgent-held areas supported by heavy Russian air strikes.
France says ‘very attentive’ to Iran U.N. ballistic missile curbs
PARIS (Reuters) – France will pay close attention to ensure Iran respects a U.N. Security Council resolution banning it from ballistic missile tests, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday after U.S. officials said Tehran had conducted a new launch in No…
Most police in England, Wales ill-prepared to combat ‘honor’ crimes: report
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Most police in England and Wales are not properly prepared to protect women from “honor” violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM), the official body monitoring the police force said.
Nearly 100 protesters released from Burundi prison
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Nearly 100 Burundian protesters who opposed President Pierre Nkurunziza during months of violence in the capital Bujumbura have been released from prison, officials said on Tuesday, as the government held aid talks with European Uni…
U.S. general eager for Myanmar engagement, awaiting policy decision
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Army’s commander in Asia said on Tuesday he was eager for closer ties to the military in Myanmar after elections that the pro-democracy opposition won by a landslide, but this would have to wait for a policy decision by …
Polish sailors kidnapped off Nigerian coast freed
WARSAW (Reuters) – The Polish crew of a cargo vessel kidnapped last month off the Nigerian coast are safe and on their way home, Poland’s Prime Minister Beata Szydlo said on Tuesday.
Rift between Rousseff and VP aggravates Brazil political crisis
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian Vice President Michel Temer has further distanced himself from the president with a letter of complaints, moving into a position from which his allies say he can make a full break from her troubled government or lead the …
Machine guns, no-fly zone guard pope’s opening of Holy Year
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Roman Catholics backed up for blocks at the Vatican on Tuesday for the strictest security checks in living memory as Pope Francis began a Holy Year with a call to set aside “fear and dread”.
