Iraq says winning battle against Islamic State, wants more bombing
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said on Friday that he wanted the U.S.-led coalition to bomb more Islamic State targets in his country to help local forces on the ground, who were “winning” the fight against the radical g…
U.S. urges Iraqi forces to move ‘as quickly as possible’ to retake Ramadi
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is encouraging Iraqi forces to move to retake the city of Ramadi from Islamic State militants “as quickly as possible” to deny them the chance to regroup, a U.S. military spokesman said on Friday.
Kremlin says U.S. distorts truth saying Putin sought to meet Obama
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Kremlin said on Friday that Washington presented a distorted version of events by saying that President Vladimir Putin had sought to meet U.S. President Barack Obama and said it was the U.S. administration that had proposed the t…
Booming Ivory Coast faces elections with confidence
ABIDJAN (Reuters) – From Abidjan airport’s packed arrivals hall to the hotels and plush villas mushrooming across the city, Ivory Coast is booming, a rare African bright spot as the world’s biggest cocoa producer bounces back from years of turmoil and …
U.S. ties better but ‘still a long road to travel’: Iran’s Rouhani
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Friday said ties with the United States had improved, though there was “still a long road to travel” before the two estranged nations could have normal relations.
U.N. expert says migrants’ rights inquiry thwarted by Australia
GENEVA (Reuters) – An independent U.N. investigator into the human rights of migrants has postponed an official visit to Australia that was due to begin on Sunday, citing a lack of government cooperation and “unacceptable” legal restrictions.
Residents of Russian-held isles disputed by Japan await diplomatic resolution
KUNASHIR, Kurile Islands (Reuters) – Russian residents of an island chain at the center of a dispute between Japan and Russia that has held up a treaty to formally end World War Two hope a diplomatic solution will lure tourists and investment to help r…
Spending ban may delay Philippine air support in South China Sea dispute: official
SUBIC BAY, Philippines (Reuters) – Plans to renovate an air base near Manila, enabling Philippine fighter jets to respond quickly to any Chinese moves in the disputed South China Sea, may face delays due to a spending ban before general elections, a se…
U.N. sees refugee flow to Europe growing, plans for big Iraq displacement
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations said on Friday it could see no easing of the flow of refugees into Europe, with 8,000 arrivals daily, and that problems now facing governments may turn out to be only “the tip of the iceberg”.
At least eight dead in suspected rebel raid on Congo army camp
KINSHASA (Reuters) – At least eight people were killed in an attack on an army camp in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo late on Thursday that local sources blamed on Rwandan Hutu rebels targeted by a Congolese army operation.
