Islamic State raises flag over citadel in Syria’s Palmyra: supporters
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Islamic State fighters have raised their flag over an ancient citadel in Syria’s historic city of Palmyra, pictures posted online overnight by the group’s supporters showed.
China and Peru agree to study transcontinental rail link
BEIJING (Reuters) – China and Peru have agreed to study the feasibility of a controversial 5,300 km (3,300 miles) transcontinental railroad that will connect Peru’s Pacific coast with Brazil’s Atlantic coast, China’s official Xinhua News Agency reporte…
Dispute over Mideast nuclear arms ban torpedoes U.N. conference
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – A month-long review conference on the 1970 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty ended in failure on Friday after its members were unable to overcome disagreements on an atomic weapons ban for the Middle East.
U.N. investigates reports of executions, abuses in Mali
BAMAKO (Reuters) – The United Nations said on Friday it was investigating reports of serious human rights abuses, including the execution of civilians, in northern Mali following clashes this week between northern Tuareg separatist rebels and pro-gover…
High turnout seen favoring Yes in Irish gay marriage vote
DUBLIN (Reuters) – Irish voters turned out in droves to cast ballots in a gay marriage referendum on Friday, with the high turnout likely to favor the Yes side seeking equality just two decades after the country decriminalized homosexuality.
U.S. suspends Burundi peacekeeping training over protests
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States said on Friday it had suspended training of Burundi soldiers for African peacekeeping missions over concerns that political violence in the country would hamper their ability to participate in such operations.
Magnitude 6.8 quake strikes off Solomon Islands: USGS
(Reuters) – A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck close to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, just days after the archipelago was hit by another strong earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Friday.
U.S., Cuba make progress on restoring ties but no deal yet
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Cuba and the United States reported making progress toward restoring diplomatic relations following two days of talks and pledged on Friday to continue informal negotiations in the coming weeks.
Gunfight in western Mexico kills at least 42: officials
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – At least 42 people were killed on Friday in western Mexico in a gunfight between suspected gang members and security forces, two government officials said, the latest bloodshed in an area that has been plagued by violent drug ga…
China says U.S. South China Sea actions ‘irresponsible, dangerous’
BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – China said on Friday it was “strongly dissatisfied” after a U.S. spy plane flew over part of the South China Sea this week near where China is building artificial islands, and called on the United States to stop such acti…
