Iraq special forces advance in Tikrit, U.S. coalition joins fight
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi special forces advanced on central Tikrit on Thursday as U.S.-led coalition planes joined the largest offensive yet against Islamic State militants holding out in Saddam Hussein’s home city.
Obama discusses Yemen, Iran in call with Turkey’s Erdogan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama spoke with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday about pressing issues in the Middle East, including the crisis in Yemen, the White House said.
Japan PM Abe to address joint session of U.S. Congress
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will address a joint meeting of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on April 29, becoming the first Japanese leader to do so.
Arab foreign ministers agree on unified military force
CAIRO (Reuters) – Arab foreign ministers meeting in Egypt agreed a draft resolution on Thursday to form a unified military force, in a move aimed at countering growing regional security threats.
U.N.: Israeli settlements may have already killed two-state bid
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Israeli settlements on occupied land wanted by the Palestinians may have already killed a possible two-state solution, said the United Nations Middle East envoy on Thursday as he suggested the U.N. Security Council should tak…
U.N. says Libyan parties need more time to agree unity government
SKHIRAT, Morocco (Reuters) – Libya’s warring factions need more time to agree on a unity government to end growing conflict and chaos in the oil producer, a U.N. envoy said on Thursday.
Nigerian government denies ‘fresh abduction’ in Damasak town
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria’s government denied there had been an abduction of hundreds of people in the northeast town of Damasak after its recapture from Islamist jihadist group Boko Haram, the national information center said on Thursday.
Displacement doubles in north Cameroon in flight from Boko Haram
DAKAR/YAOUNDE (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The number of people in northern Cameroon who have fled their homes fearing the violence in neighboring Nigeria and cross-border raids by Islamist sect Boko Haram doubled in March to 117,000, a United Nation…
New U.N. investigator to probe digital spying
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations top human rights body agreed on Thursday to appoint a special investigator to probe digital spying and violations of online privacy.
Cuba proposes quick start to human rights dialogue with U.S.
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba on Thursday proposed that a pending human rights dialogue with the United States begin on Tuesday in Washington, parallel to ongoing negotiations about restoring diplomatic ties that were severed in 1961.
