U.S. Navy to accompany U.S. ships passing through Strait of Hormuz
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Navy ships will start accompanying U.S.-flagged commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran’s seizure of a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel two days ago, a U.S. defense official said on Thursday.
Russia may be readying for new Ukraine offensive: NATO commander
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Russia’s military may be taking advantage of a recent lull in fighting in eastern Ukraine to lay the groundwork for a new military offensive, NATO’s top commander told the U.S. Congress on Thursday.
Colombia’s ex-spy chief sentenced to 14 years in prison
BOGOTA (Reuters) – The former head of Colombia’s intelligence service was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Thursday for spying on opposition lawmakers, judges and journalists in one of the biggest scandals to mar the government of ex-President Alvaro…
Chile volcano Calbuco erupts again with new cloud of ash
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Chilean volcano Calbuco erupted for the third time in eight days on Thursday, sending a new cloud of ash and gas high into the sky, although officials said the latest eruption was less powerful than those of last week.
Islamic State group film shows Yemen killings: SITE
RIYADH (Reuters) – A new branch of the Islamic State group in Yemen on Thursday issued a video showing what it said was the beheading of four Yemeni soldiers and the shooting of 10 others, the SITE Intelligence group reported.
U.S. coalition target Islamic State with 21 air strikes: statement
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and its partner nations conducted 21 air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq since early on Wednesday, the Combined Joint Task Force leading the operation said on Thursday.
Saudi border guard killed on Yemen frontier: SPA
RIYADH (Reuters) – A mortar shell killed a Saudi Arabian border guard patrolling on the frontier with Yemen on Thursday, the Interior Ministry said, bringing to 11 the number of Saudi Arabia’s casualties during its five-week campaign against Yemen’s Ho…
Western leaders agree ceasefire in Ukraine needs to stabilize: Germany
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande held a telephone conversation with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine on Thursday to discuss the fragile ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, Merkel’s spokesman said.
Greece signals concessions in crunch talks with lenders
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece’s government signaled the biggest concessions so far as crunch talks with lenders on a cash-for-reforms package started in earnest on Thursday, but tried to assure leftist supporters it had not abandoned its anti-austerity pri…
Shared battlefield goals trump ideology among Syria rebels – for now
REYHANLI, Turkey (Reuters) – Hardline Islamists fighting side-by-side with groups backed by the United States have made gains in northern Syria in recent weeks while showing rare unity, which some fear may be short-lived.
