Iraqi officer under Saddam masterminded rise of Islamic State: Spiegel
BERLIN (Reuters) – A former intelligence officer for the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was the mastermind behind Islamic State’s takeover of northern Syria, according to a report by Der Spiegel that is based on documents uncovered by the German ma…
U.N. frees 21 herders enslaved by militia in Central African Republic
BANGUI (Reuters) – U.N. peacekeepers have liberated some 21 nomadic Muslim herders, most of them women and children, enslaved by militia groups in the west of Central African Republic, though up to 100 more remain in captivity, a U.N. official said on …
Exclusive: EU frets naval mission off Libya could draw more migrants to sea
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The EU is considering sending warships to the Libyan coast to combat oil and arms smugglers but fears that could encourage more migrants to take to sea in hopes of being rescued and taken to Europe, according to an EU document seen…
Mediators set May 15 deadline to sign Mali peace deal
BAMAKO (Reuters) – International mediators in the conflict in northern Mali increased pressure on Tuareg-led separatists on Sunday to sign up to a U.N.-brokered peace deal by announcing a signing ceremony for May 15.
Norway asks Moscow to explain deputy PM’s island visit despite sanctions
OSLO (Reuters) – Norway said on Sunday it has sought an explanation from Moscow for a visit to a Norwegian island by Russia’s deputy prime minister, who is banned from Norway in keeping with international sanctions against him over Ukraine.
Sudan’s youth activists battle restraints and apathy
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – When the Arab Spring uprisings burst out four years ago, Bedreldin Mohamed believed that, finally, many of his Sudanese countrymen would join him in calling for an alternative to President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, now in his 25th yea…
Main Turkish opposition in election vow to boost economy, democracy
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s main opposition promised on Sunday to revitalize a flagging economy and boost democracy in an election manifesto which accused the ruling AK Party of polarizing the country and leaving millions in poverty during its 13 yea…
UK’s Cameron says Labour-SNP power deal would be frightening
LONDON (Reuters) – The prospect of Scottish Nationalists holding sway over a minority Labour government is “frightening”, British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Sunday, as polls suggested deadlock 18 days before an election.
Upset for Spain’s ruling party seen in stronghold Valencia: poll
MADRID (Reuters) – Voters in Spain’s Valencia region, a bastion of conservatism for two decades, are likely to desert Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s party in droves in May’s regional election, a poll published on Sunday found, in a taste of nationwide …
Germanwings crash families could seek damages in the U.S.: lawyer
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Families of the victims of the Germanwings crash are considering filing a claim for damages in the United States if they cannot reach agreement with parent airline Lufthansa in Germany, a lawyer representing the families said on S…
