U.S. backs U.N. resolution on Boko Haram regional force
YAOUNDE (Reuters) – The United States supports the creation of a West African force of up to 10,000 troops to fight Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram, a U.S. defense official said on Wednesday.
U.S. blacklists more Ukrainian rebels, expands non-lethal aid
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States announced $75 million in non-lethal aid for Ukraine on Wednesday and placed sanctions on a handful of Ukrainian separatists, a Russian bank and others after accusing Russian-backed rebels of breaking a European-…
Exclusive: U.S. asks Vietnam to stop helping Russian bomber flights
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States has asked Vietnam to stop letting Russia use a former U.S. base to refuel nuclear-capable bombers engaged in shows of strength over the Asia-Pacific region, exposing strains in Washington’s steadily warming rela…
Iraqi forces push into Tikrit, bombers hit Ramadi
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi security forces and militias fought their way into Saddam Hussein’s home city of Tikrit on Wednesday, advancing on two fronts in their biggest counter-offensive so far against Islamic State militants.
U.N report details Gambia rights abuse as EU considers aid
DAKAR (Reuters) – A report by the U.N. special rapporteur on torture has found evidence of significant human rights violations in Gambia, placing pressure on European governments as they consider whether to press ahead with a major aid package.
Hundreds protest against Mali peace proposal as factions mull response
KIDAL/BAMAKO (Reuters) – Hundreds of protesters rallied for a second day in the northern Malian town of Kidal against a preliminary, U.N.-brokered peace proposal on Wednesday, as Tuareg separatist leaders gathered to discuss the agreement with their su…
U.N. aviation agency names Chinese veteran as secretary general
TORONTO (Reuters) – The United Nations aviation body’s governing council elected Fang Liu, a veteran of China’s aviation authority, as its new secretary general on Wednesday, the first woman to hold the position in the agency’s 70-year history.
U.S. may be unable to defend its Syria recruits against Assad
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States does not appear to have clear-cut legal authority to protect Syrian rebels it trains from attack by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, even under new war powers, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter …
Morocco recalls its ambassador to Nigeria over royal phone call
RABAT (Reuters) – Morocco has recalled its ambassador to Nigeria, in a row over whether the president of Nigeria is trying to use the king of Morocco to win over Muslim voters before Nigeria’s elections this month.
Child in Islamic State video may be linked to French gunman: source
PARIS (Reuters) – French officials are investigating whether a child shown shooting dead an Israeli Arab in a video posted by Islamic State militants is French and has ties to an al Qaeda-inspired gunman who killed seven people in March 2012, a police …
