Six migrants drown off Morocco near Spanish enclave: state media
RABAT (Reuters) – At least six people drowned off Morocco after a boat carrying them sank close to a Spanish enclave that is a regular destination for migrants early on Friday, state media reported.
U.S. leads six more air strikes against Islamic State: statement
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S.-led coalition launched six air strikes against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq since early Thursday, according to the Combined Joint Task Force leading the military operation.
Thai ‘confidence’ in anti-trafficking record belied by statistics
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand identified fewer victims of human trafficking last year than in 2013 and convicted fewer perpetrators of the crime, according to a government report aimed at lifting the country from a U.S. list of the world’s worst offende…
Israel issues tenders for new settler homes ahead of election
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel published tenders on Friday for the construction of 450 new housing units in occupied Palestinian territory, a move that critics denounced as a political gesture ahead of a March general election.
Hostage-taker at Dutch TV had no terrorist links: police
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – A man who forced his way into the studios of Dutch national broadcaster NOS and demanded to go on live television had no known links to terrorist organizations and acted alone, police said on Friday.
Zimbabwe’s Mugabe, 90, becomes African Union chairman
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ninety-year-old Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, one of Africa’s most divisive figures, ascended to the rotating chairmanship of the African Union (AU) on Friday, casting a shadow over the continental body’s relations with the …
Five more Ukrainian soldiers killed in fighting with rebels: Kiev military
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s military reported more heavy fighting between government forces and Russian-backed separatists in parts of eastern Ukraine overnight into Friday and a spokesman said five Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the past 24 hour…
Philippine leader vows justice for police but warns on anger
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Friday promised justice for 44 policemen killed in a clash with Muslim rebels but, underscoring his calls for the violence not to derail peace efforts, warned against an angry response to the vi…
Kurdish PM says U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State faces long war
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani warned that despite victories in the war against Islamic State, the global coalition against the group was inadequate and predicted a campaign to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul would not happen before the fall.
Egypt’s Sisi cuts short Ethiopia visit after 30 killed in Sinai
CAIRO/ISMAILIA (Reuters) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi cut short a visit to Ethiopia for an African Union summit on Friday, after Islamic State’s Egyptian wing claimed the killing of at least 30 security personnel in the Sinai Peninsula.
