First TV debate of UK election campaign to pit Cameron against six others
LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister David Cameron will face off against six political rivals later on Thursday in the first TV debate of Britain’s national election campaign, hoping the format will allow him to cast himself as a statesman against squabbl…
Yemen Houthi fighters backed by tanks reach central Aden
ADEN (Reuters) – A unit of Houthi rebels and allies backed by tanks pushed into central Aden, the main foothold of fighters loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, witnesses said on Wednesday, despite a week of air strikes by Saudi-led coalition for…
Oil platform fire toll in Gulf of Mexico: four dead, 302 evacuated
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – At least four people died after a fire broke out on an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico early on Wednesday, leading to the evacuation of 302 workers, Mexican state-run oil company Pemex said.
Japan PM Abe to craft war history comments with eye on U.S.
TOKYO (Reuters) – When Prime Minister Shinzo Abe addresses Japan’s wartime past in a statement marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, the reaction of ally Washington will likely be as much, if not more, on his mind than that of Asian…
Kerry extends Iran talks, French foreign minister returns
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his German and French counterparts extended marathon talks in Switzerland on Wednesday for a second day beyond a self-imposed deadline to reach a preliminary agreement with Iran o…
Islamic State seizes vast Damascus refugee camp
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Islamic State fighters seized most of a vast camp for Palestinian refugees on the outskirts of Damascus from other insurgents on Wednesday in a bid to capture a major foothold close to President Bashar al-Assad’s seat of power.
Chad says hundreds of Boko Haram militants, nine soldiers killed in clash
N’DJAMENA (Reuters) – Chad’s army said its forces had killed hundreds of Boko Haram militants and lost nine of its own troops in clashes in northern Nigeria on Wednesday.
Israel tests U.S.-backed missile shield as Iran nuclear talks churn
JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A new Israeli air defense system being developed in partnership with the United States met all its objectives in a series of recent live interception tests, U.S. and Israeli officials said Wednesday, putting it on cours…
Thai junta lifts martial law, but retains broad powers
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s ruling junta said on Wednesday it had lifted martial law imposed just before a coup 10 months ago, but it invoked a security clause in the country’s interim constitution that will mean the military will retain broad power…
Iraq claims victory over Islamic State in Tikrit
TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) – The Iraqi government claimed victory over Islamic State insurgents in Tikrit on Wednesday after a month-long battle for the city supported by Shi’ite militiamen and U.S.-led air strikes, saying that only small pockets of resist…
