Iraqi troops, militia retake strategic town north of Tikrit from Islamic State
AL-ALAM, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqi troops and militias drove Islamic State insurgents out of the town of al-Alam on Tuesday, clearing a final hurdle before a planned assault on Saddam Hussein’s home city of Tikrit in their biggest offensive yet against th…
China says wants Taiwan participation in war commemoration
BEIJING (Reuters) – China wants Taiwan to participate in commemorations later this year to mark the end of World War Two, and also plans events commemorating the end of Japanese rule over the island, a Chinese government spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
Parents of former Thai princess jailed for two-and-a-half years
BANGKOK (Reuters) – The parents of a former Thai princess were jailed for 2-1/2 years on Wednesday for defaming the monarchy following investigations into the actions of several family members accused of corruption and misusing their royal connection.
China says Dalai Lama less and less influential, but must reincarnate
BEIJING (Reuters) – Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is becoming less influential, both abroad and in Tibet, but his suggestion he will not reincarnate is still a “betrayal” of the religion and the country, a top Chinese official said on …
Cuban dissident leader fends off leadership challenge
HAVANA (Reuters) – One of Cuba’s most prominent dissidents appears to have fended off a challenge to her leadership of a women’s opposition movement, but with her reputation dented after disgruntled followers accused her of abusing her authority.
Korean Air flight attendant in ‘nut rage’ case sues chairman’s daughter
SEOUL (Reuters) – A flight attendant at the center of a “nut rage” case that resulted in the daughter of the Korean Air Lines chairman being sentenced to jail has filed a civil lawsuit against her in New York, the attendant’s lawyers have said.
France mourns sports stars killed in Argentina helicopter crash
BUENOS AIRES/PARIS (Reuters) – France mourned on Tuesday the deaths of three sports stars who were among 10 people killed when two helicopters collided in a remote region of Argentina during the filming of a reality TV show.
Virgin’s Branson joins clemency calls for Indonesia death row inmates
SYDNEY (Reuters) – British businessman Richard Branson has joined calls for clemency for convicted foreigners on death row in Indonesia, as an Indonesian minister warned of a renewed influx of asylum seekers into Australia if it continues to push the i…
Islamic State video shows killing of teen accused as Israeli spy
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A video posted online by Islamic State militants on Tuesday showed a boy fatally shooting Muhammad Musallam, an Israeli Arab accused by the group of having signed up as a jihadi to spy for Israel’s intelligence service.
Colombia’s president says to halt bombings of Marxist rebels for a month
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s armed forces will halt bombing raids against Marxist FARC rebels for one month, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Tuesday, in recognition of the unilateral ceasefire declared by the guerrillas, who are in peace talks wi…
