Islamic State militants seize Iraq village, press assault on Yazidis
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Islamic State wrested a Sunni Muslim village in western Iraq on Thursday from tribal defenders who put up weeks of fierce resistance, and the insurgents tightened a siege of the Yazidi minority on a mountain in the north.
Cash aid for refugees succeeds despite donors’ doubts
BEIRUT (Reuters) – For decades, aid groups have assumed they know what’s best for refugees and the poor; a growing body of evidence suggests they’re wrong.
Economic bounce, tough campaign point to Rousseff win in Brazil
MATEUS LEME Brazil (Reuters) – President Dilma Rousseff looks positioned to narrowly win a second term on Sunday thanks to a slight rebound in the economy and her success in portraying her rival as an elitist who would take Brazil back to a more heartl…
Pistorius shoves race, crime and punishment in South Africa’s face
PRETORIA (Reuters) – As Oscar Pistorius spent his first day behind bars this week, a suspected child rapist and murderer went on trial at the same Pretoria court in a case that has also provoked fierce debate about crime and punishment in post-aparthei…
U.N. rights watchdog calls for open elections in Hong Kong
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations Human Rights Committee called on China on Thursday to ensure universal suffrage in Hong Kong, stressing that included the right to stand for election as well as the right to vote.
Ukrainian PM warns Russia may try to disrupt Sunday’s election
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s prime minister warned on Thursday of possible attempts by Russia to disrupt an election in Ukraine at the weekend, a vote being held against a background of Russian support for separatist rebels and an unresolved row over gas…
Zimbabwe’s first lady says Mugabe’s deputy should resign
HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwe’s First Lady Grace Mugabe said on Thursday deputy president Joice Mujuru, potential successor to her 90-year-old husband Robert Mugabe, should resign, in an attack likely to widen divisions in the ruling party.
Colombia to intensify battle against smuggling
BOGOTA (Reuters) – The battle against contraband is set to become a focal point for Colombia’s armed forces as the risk to the economy and security matches the dangers of drug trafficking to the Andean nation, the head of the fiscal police said.
Indonesia president submits new cabinet list for anti-graft review
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo submitted a revised list of cabinet ministers to the country’s anti-graft agency on Thursday, in the hope that his new ministerial team will be considered free of corruption.
UK policeman arrested after ammunition found at Buckingham Palace
LONDON (Reuters) – A police officer was arrested on Thursday as part of an investigation into the discovery of ammunition in personal lockers in a police building on the grounds of Buckingham Palace, Scotland Yard said.
