Islamic State hit with 15 air strikes by U.S.-led coalition: U.S. military
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S.-led coalition staged 15 air strikes on Islamic State forces in Iraq and Syria, the Combined Joint Task Force said on Thursday.
African allies aim to pin down Boko Haram till March offensive: Niger
N’DJAMENA (Reuters) – Niger, Chad and Cameroon are seeking to pin down Boko Haram within Nigeria’s borders ahead of a ground-and-air offensive by a regional taskforce due to start from the end of next month, a senior Niger military official told Reuter…
Turkey to go ahead with non-NATO-integrated Chinese missile defense
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey will go ahead with plans to order a $3.4-billion missile defense system from China, Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz said, despite U.S. and NATO concerns over security and compatibility of weaponry.
Qatar recalls ambassador from Egypt in dispute over Libya strikes
CAIRO (Reuters) – Qatar has recalled its ambassador to Egypt, the state news agency QNA said late on Wednesday, in a dispute over Egyptian air strikes on Islamic State targets in Libya.
Britain says scrambles fighter jets to escort Russian bombers
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain said on Thursday it had scrambled Typhoon fighter jets to see two Russian long-range Bear bombers off the south coast of England the previous day, the second such incident in as many months.
Arms exporters eye deals at Mideast’s largest defense show
ABU DHABI (Reuters) – International firms will scramble for new orders at the Middle East’s largest arms show which opens in Abu Dhabi next week as oil-rich Gulf states load up on weapons in a region rocked by instability and violence.
Thailand files charges against former PM Yingluck
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s attorney general filed charges against deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday, in a case that could result in a 10-year jail term if she is found guilty.
Iran, U.S. to hold talks in Geneva to narrow nuclear gaps: IRNA
ANKARA (Reuters) – Iran and U.S. negotiators will hold talks over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program in Geneva on Friday to narrow remaining gaps aimed at ending a 12-year standoff with six major powers, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported on Thursda…
China to project power from artificial islands in South China Sea
HONG KONG (Reuters) – China’s creation of artificial islands in the South China Sea is happening so fast that Beijing will be able to extend the range of its navy, air force, coastguard and fishing fleets before long, much to the alarm of rival claiman…
Somalis panic as cash flow dries up after U.S. remittance lifeline cut
NAIROBI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Somali families are panicking and businesses are running short of funds two weeks after the last major U.S. bank stopped transferring money to the fragile Horn of Africa country, development groups said.
