Islamic State deadline on Japanese captives passes with no word on fate
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan said on Friday it was still trying to secure the release of two Japanese hostages held by Islamic State militants after a deadline to pay ransom for their release passed and there was no immediate word on their fate.
Five Lebanese soldiers killed in clashes with militants near Syria
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanese troops repelled an attack by militants on an army outpost near the Syrian border on Friday but five soldiers were killed, the army said.
Greek anti-austerity party holds lead before Sunday elections
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece’s leftist Syria party held onto its opinion poll lead on Friday as it campaigns to form the first euro zone government committed to scrapping austerity outright after elections this weekend.
EU suspends some aid to Guyana over parliament suspension
GEORGETOWN (Reuters) – The European Union on Friday suspended some budget assistance to Guyana on the grounds that President Donald Ramotar’s 2014 suspension of parliament has left the nation without adequate supervision of state spending.
Robbers target food delivery trucks in shortage-hit Venezuela
SAN CRISTOBAL/CARACAS (Reuters) – Robbers and looters are targeting trucks carrying food across Venezuela in another sign of worsening shortages that have turned basics like flour and chicken into coveted booty.
Firebomb attacks kill two in worsening Bangladesh unrest over vote
DHAKA (Reuters) – Two people died in bomb attacks in Bangladesh on Friday, raising the death toll to at least 34 in increasing political unrest as a stand-off between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the main opposition leader over last year’s election…
Greek leftists Syriza extend poll lead two days before election
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece’s anti-bailout Syriza party has widened its lead over the ruling conservatives to 6.7 percentage points from six points previously, a survey showed on Friday, two days before a national election.
Greek leftists Syriza extends poll lead as election day nears
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece’s anti-bailout Syriza party has widened its lead over the ruling conservatives, a survey showed on Friday, two days before a snap national election.
Kerry calls for more resources in anti-extremist fight, warns of Islamophobia
DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) – Countries must devote more resources to fight global extremism, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday, but the battle would falter if it becomes consumed by sectarian division or Islamophobia.
Pope tells new cardinals to be humble, shun parties
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis has told the men he will elevate to the high rank of cardinal next month to be humble and shun lavish parties in their honor, saying they can do more damage than alcohol on an empty stomach.
