News organizations back safety guidelines for freelance journalists
NEW YORK (Reuters) – More than two dozen news organizations and advocacy groups have agreed to back international safety standards for freelancers in the wake of kidnappings and killings of journalists around the world.
South African parliament descends into chaos as Zuma gets hostile reception
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – South Africa’s parliament descended into chaos on Thursday as opposition lawmakers were removed by force after disrupting Jacob Zuma’s annual address, an unprecedented sign of discontent at his administration.
Jordan’s air force resumes raids against Islamic State
AMMAN (Reuters) – Jordanian air force jets bombed the hideouts of Islamic State militants in Syria on Thursday, state television said, resuming the intensified raids that it first launched last week in retaliation for the killing of a pilot.
Thousands flee Niger town after Boko Haram attacks
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Thousands of civilians fled their homes in the southeastern Niger town of Diffa this week, officials said on Thursday, following waves of cross-border raids and suicide bombings by Nigerian militant group Boko Haram.
Islamic State fighters seize western Iraqi town: officials
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Islamic State insurgents took control on Thursday of most of the western Iraqi town of al-Baghdadi, threatening an air base where U.S. Marines are training Iraqi troops, officials said.
U.S. commander in Afghanistan offers drawdown options
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The head of U.S. forces in Afghanistan said on Thursday he has presented his commanders with options on troop withdrawals in 2015, even as U.S. lawmakers accused the Obama administration of rushing to cut the U.S. military presen…
Hungary PM faces renewed fire in feud with oligarch
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – A Hungarian newspaper usually loyal to Prime Minister Viktor Orban printed an attack against him on Thursday in a fresh salvo by the paper’s co-owner who has turned on his former friend and threatens to undermine him.
Syrian rebel leader vows guerrilla war in south against Hezbollah, govt
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Syrian rebel commander in the south vowed to wage guerrilla war against the Lebanese group Hezbollah and Syrian government forces which have launched a major offensive against insurgents in the sensitive border region near Israel a…
U.S. slams Sudan for obstructing Darfur mass rape investigation
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United States on Thursday sharply criticized Sudan for obstructing a United Nations investigation into what Washington’s U.N. envoy said were credible allegations of mass rape in the conflict-torn western Darfur region.
Egypt frees two Al Jazeera journalists on bail
CAIRO (Reuters) – Two remaining Al Jazeera journalists jailed in Egypt on charges of aiding a “terrorist organization” were freed on bail on Thursday after more than 400 days, but the court said the case against them was still pending.
