U.S.-led air strikes in Syria, Iraq hit Islamic State targets
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and its coalition partners launched four air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria, and six more in Iraq against the insurgent group, the U.S. military said on Wednesday.
Iran’s Rouhani says goal of nuclear negotiations is ‘win-win’ outcome
BEIRUT (Reuters) – President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday the goal of Iran’s negotiations with world powers on its nuclear program was a “win-win” outcome, a further signal that Tehran could accept a compromise to defuse a stand-off that has raised…
Chad army says kills 13 Boko Haram fighters in Nigeria
N’DJAMENA (Reuters) – Chadian soldiers killed 13 fighters from Islamist militant group Boko Haram in a battle in the Nigerian town of Gambaru on Wednesday, the army said in a statement, adding that one Chadian soldier was killed.
Cypriot-flagged freighter runs aground off a Greek Aegean island
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek authorities have rescued all crew members of a Cypriot-flagged freighter which ran aground off a Greek Aegean island early on Wednesday, the Greek coastguard said on Wednesday.
Nigeria military promises neutrality after poll delay
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria’s military pledged not to get involved in party politics on Wednesday, after concerns grew about its role in pushing for the country’s presidential election to be delayed by six weeks.
Leader of Belgian militant Islamist group sentenced to 12 years
ANTWERP, Belgium (Reuters) – A Belgian court jailed the head of Sharia4Belgium for 12 years on Wednesday, ruling that his Islamist group was a terrorist organization that brainwashed young men into joining militants in the Middle East.
Bahrain puts off rights activist’s appeal hearing to March 4
MANAMA (Reuters) – Bahrain has postponed until March 4 a hearing by Nabeel Rajab, one of the Arab world’s most prominent democracy campaigners, on his appeal against a conviction for publicly insulting two state institutions, according to his Twitter a…
China’s Xi says treasures friendship with Vietnam, despite dispute
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday told the head of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party he treasured the two nations’ traditional friendship, but disagreements needed careful handling to ensure regional stability amid an ugly di…
African children subject to ‘alarming’ levels of violence
NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Children across Africa face unacceptably high levels of physical, sexual and emotional violence at home, at school and in the streets, researchers specializing in children’s rights said on Wednesday.
Malaysia arrests cartoonist for criticizing Anwar verdict judges
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia has arrested a cartoonist for sedition over a Twitter post that criticized the judiciary for upholding a five-year jail term for opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who accused the courts of “bowing to the dictates of the…
