EBRD to invest up to $1 billion in Ukraine in 2015 if reforms made
KIEV (Reuters) – The head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said it plans to invest up to around $1 billion in Ukraine this year, including in the gas sector, provided real reforms are implemented.
U.N. says Burundi did not hold fair election, human rights violated
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Burundi’s parliamentary elections on Monday were not fair or free and human rights were violated, the United Nations said on Thursday.
U.S. seeing rapid expansion of Sunni outreach at new Anbar base
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is seeing signs that new efforts to draw Sunni tribesmen into Iraq’s battle against Islamic State may be taking root at a military base near the fallen capital of Sunni-dominated Anbar province, U.S. officials s…
Forced labor shows back-breaking lack of reform in Myanmar military
BUTHIDAUNG, Myanmar (Reuters) – In the fertile river valleys near Myanmar’s border with Bangladesh, stateless Rohingya Muslims say there is no let-up in soldiers forcing them into hard labor, despite the government launching a campaign three years ago …
U.S. calls for Ramadan pause in Yemen conflict
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department on Thursday called for a “humanitarian pause” in the conflict in Yemen during Ramadan.
India’s push to save its cows starves Bangladesh of beef
GHOJADANGA, India/DHAKA (Reuters) – Some 30,000 Indian soldiers guarding the border with Bangladesh have a new mandate under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government this year – stop cattle from crossing illegally into the Muslim-majority neighbor.
Kerry urges dialogue, cooperation in message to Venezuela
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday urged Venezuela’s government and opposition to find a “peaceful resolution” to their disputes before a Dec. 6 parliamentary election and said the United States wanted to improve ties.
Afghanistan targets U.S. defense contractors in row over back taxes
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan is threatening to crack down on U.S. defense contractors it says owe hundreds of millions of dollars in back taxes, including by freezing their bank accounts and refusing to renew yearly business licenses when they expire….
Syrian Islamist insurgents launch battle to seize government-held Aleppo
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian insurgents led by Islamist groups began a major offensive to gain full control of the divided northern city of Aleppo, a monitor and rebels said on Thursday.
Egyptian army kills 35 militants in North Sinai: sources
ISMAILIA, Egypt (Reuters) – Egypt’s military killed 35 Islamist militants in North Sinai on Thursday, security sources said, a day after the deadliest clashes in the region in years.
