Slow gains in Anbar set pace for Iraq’s anti-IS offensive
BAGHDAD/BEIRUT (Reuters) – After only modest gains in the first few weeks of their drive to retake Anbar province, Iraqi government forces have given up hopes of swift advances against Islamic State militants.
Russian ‘food crematoria’ provoke outrage amid crisis, famine memories
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian government plans for mass destruction of banned Western food imports have provoked outrage in a country where poverty rates are soaring and memories remain of famine during Soviet times.
Russia accuses Britain of forcing out its diplomats
LONDON (Reuters) – Russia has accused the British government of forcing out its diplomats in violation of international law, saying it believes some of the country’s politicians have taken a strategic decision to worsen relations with Moscow.
Chinese Christians hold protest on church roof to protect cross
BEIJING (Reuters) – Christian protesters in China have camped out for a month on the roof of their church to stop authorities from taking down its cross, defying calls from officials to give up their campaign, congregation members said on Thursday.
Afghan military helicopter crash kills all 17 aboard
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) – An Afghan military helicopter crashed on Thursday, killing all 17 on board, officials said, in a blow for a fledgling air force whose resources have been stretched since the withdrawal of most international forces last…
Hiroshima marks atomic bombing, worries about steps toward war
HIROSHIMA, Japan (Reuters) – Bells tolled and thousands bowed their heads in prayer in Hiroshima on Thursday at ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the world’s first atomic bombing while survivors warned about Japan’s moves away from its pacifis…
Explosion in Gaza Strip kills four, wounds 30; cause unknown
GAZA (Reuters) – An explosion killed four Palestinians and wounded 30 on Thursday in the southern Gaza town of Rafah along the Egyptian border, medical officials and local residents said.
Netanyahu anti-Iran drive strains U.S. ties, isolates Israel: president
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s president suggested on Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been overzealous in opposing the Iran nuclear deal, opening a “battlefront” with Washington and isolating his country.
Taiwan looks to boost maritime cooperation with Philippines, Japan
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan’s coastguard wants to improve cooperation with the Philippines and conduct joint search and rescue exercises despite tense standoffs in disputed waters in recent months, a senior coastguard official said on Thursday.
Kerry says ‘zero communication’ on trade pact and Malaysian trafficking record
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – U.S Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday he had “zero communication” with anyone in the U.S. administration on a Pacific trade pact in connection with Malaysia’s upgraded designation on human trafficking.
