Iraq Shi’ite Ashoura ritual escapes major attacks
KERBALA Iraq (Reuters) – A gathering of millions of Shi’ite Muslims at shrines and mosques across Iraq for the Ashoura religious commemoration passed without any major attacks on Tuesday, under tight security imposed for fear of Islamic State bombers.
Leader of Syria Qaeda wing threatens strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The leader of Syria’s al Qaeda rebel wing threatened attacks against the Shi’ite Muslim militant movement Hezbollah in Lebanon in coming days that he said would make it regret fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Leader of Syria Qaeda wing threatens strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The leader of Syria’s al Qaeda rebel wing threatened attacks against the Shi’ite Muslim militant movement Hezbollah in Lebanon in coming days that he said would make it regret fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Georgia’s premier sacks pro-Western defense minister
TBILISI (Reuters) – Georgian Prime Minister Irakly Garibashvili fired his defense minister on Tuesday hours after he criticized the arrests of several officials in his ministry as politically motivated and aimed at those who favor better relations with…
Sierra Leone imprisons journalist under emergency Ebola measures
FREETOWN (Reuters) – Police in Sierra Leone have jailed a journalist in the capital Freetown under emergency measures introduced to help the West African country cope with the Ebola epidemic, a senior police source said on Tuesday.
Pro-government Kenyan Muslim cleric shot dead in Mombasa
MOMBASA Kenya (Reuters) – A Kenyan Muslim cleric, who supported government efforts to stamp out radicalism among youths in the country’s restive coastal region, was shot dead by unknown assailants on Tuesday, police said.
Ukraine rebel leaders sworn in, Kiev says peace plan violated
DONETSK Ukraine (Reuters) – Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine staged swearing in ceremonies for their leaders on Tuesday after votes dismissed as a farce by Kiev, which says they violated terms of a peace plan to end a war that has killed more…
Four killed as Saudi Arabia hunts gunmen who attacked Shi’ites
RIYADH/DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi security forces on Tuesday shot dead two suspected members of an armed group that killed at least eight people in an overnight attack on Shi’ite Muslims marking an important religious anniversary, the Interior Ministry re…
No talks set for Obama, Putin in Asia but informal discussions likely: U.S. official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama has no plans for formal face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Asia-Pacific or G20 summits next week but they are expected to have an informal conversation on the sidelines, a seni…
White House says it regrets Russia’s absence from nuclear summit meetings
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House said on Tuesday it regretted Russia’s decision not to attend preparatory meeting last week for the 2016 nuclear security summit.
