UN says rights violations escalating in Congo ahead of elections
KINSHASA (Reuters) – The United Nations said on Wednesday human rights violations by authorities in Democratic Republic of Congo are escalating ahead of a round of elections during which President Joseph Kabila is set to step down.
House might cancel vote on Iran disapproval bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republicans who control the U.S. House of Representatives are weighing the possibility of abandoning a disapproval resolution for the Iran nuclear deal, as doubts grow that the legislation has enough votes to even clear a procedu…
U.S., allies launch 17 air strikes against Islamic State in Syria, Iraq: statement
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S.-led coalition targeted Islamic State with 17 air strikes in Syria and Iraq on Tuesday, including one that destroyed the militant group’s operating base near Ramadi that was a key supply hub, according to the U.S. militar…
Ugandan police fire teargas at supporters of President Museveni’s rival
KAMPALA (Reuters) – Police in northeastern Uganda fired teargas on Wednesday to disperse a campaign rally held by Amama Mbabazi, the country’s former prime minister, who is seeking to unseat veteran leader Yoweri Museveni in next year’s elections.
Ukraine ceasefire more respected now, NATO chief says
PRAGUE (Reuters) – A ceasefire in eastern Ukraine is being respected more now than in the past, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday.
Russian troops join combat in Syria: sources
By Gabriela Baczynska, Tom Perry, Laila Bassam and Phil Stewart
Iraq’s Abadi dismisses 123 senior officials as part of reforms: statement
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has dismissed 123 deputy ministers and general managers as part of a reform push aimed at reducing corruption and mismanagement which has made the country nearly impossible to govern.
Egypt sends up to 800 ground troops to Yemen’s war: Egyptian security sources
SANAA (Reuters) – As many as 800 Egyptian soldiers arrived in Yemen late on Tuesday, Egyptian security sources said, swelling the ranks of a Gulf Arab military contingent which aims to rout the Iran-allied Houthi group after a five-month civil war.
Al Qaeda calls Islamic State illegitimate but suggests cooperation
CAIRO (Reuters) – Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri dismissed Islamic State and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as illegitimate but said his followers would join them in fighting the Western-led coalition in Iraq and Syria if possible.
Security forces lock down Beirut as politicians meet, protesters gather
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanese security services locked down central Beirut on Wednesday as ministers and parliamentarians met to discuss ways out of a political crisis that has paralyzed government and fueled a wave of street protests.
