U.N. fears ‘the worst’ after typhoon batters Vanuatu
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Widespread casualties are feared after a powerful typhoon battered Vanuatu overnight, triggering flash floods and knocking out telephone lines in the isolated Pacific island nation, aid officials said on Saturday.
Cameroon says treats Boko Haram suspects humanely despite prison deaths
YAOUNDE (Reuters) – Cameroon is treating hundreds of suspected Boko Haram militants in its prisons humanely despite the death of 25 in a prison cell last December, a government minister said on Friday, rejecting a rights group report that accused the a…
Maldives’ ex-president Nasheed sentenced to 13 years in prison
MALE/COLOMBO (Reuters) – Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Friday after being found guilty of terrorism for ordering the arrest of a judge when he was in power in 2012.
Human rights concerns limit U.S. intelligence, military aid to Nigeria
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is limiting its intelligence and military aid to Nigeria during Boko Haram’s deadly insurgency due to concerns over the country’s human rights record, U.S. officials say.
What happened to Putin? Satirists run riot online
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A wave of savage mockery broke over President Vladimir Putin across the Internet on Friday, sparked by days of absence from public view, despite official insistence it was business as usual in the Kremlin.
U.N. postpones Libyan talks to give parties time to prepare
SKHIRAT, Morocco (Reuters) – The United Nations has postponed until next week a new round of talks with Libyan politicians to try to end a crisis that has left the country with two rival governments and armed factions battling for power and oil wealth….
Romanian prosecutors launch criminal investigation into finance minister
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Romanian prosecutors said on Friday they had launched a probe into Finance Minister Darius Valcov, accusing him of favouring a company for a public works contract in exchange for about 2 million euros while in his former post as a…
Russia rejects U.S. concerns over Vietnam base role in bomber flights
MOSCOW/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Russia on Friday rejected U.S. concerns about its use of a former American base in Vietnam for the refueling of Russian bomber flights around U.S. territory in the Pacific, dismissing recent U.S. statements as “puzzling” a…
Iran framework deal would only be step in talks: diplomat
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Even if Iran and six powers can reach a framework nuclear deal by the end of this month, further serious negotiations would be needed to achieve a full agreement by June 30, a senior European diplomat said on Friday.
Sudan rebels say they have begun armed campaign to derail elections
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – A Sudanese rebel group said on Friday it had launched a military campaign focused on derailing elections slated for next month, as rebels and the government reported fresh clashes.
