Islamic State captures Jordanian pilot after warplane crashes in Syria
AMMAN (Reuters) – Islamic State fighters took a Jordanian pilot prisoner after his warplane came down in northeast Syria on Wednesday, the first captive taken from the U.S.-led coalition battling the jihadi group.
Baghdad’s Christians gather defiantly for Christmas Eve mass
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Baghdad’s embattled Christian community worshipped defiantly Wednesday night at Christmas Eve mass.
Afghan women’s cricket crushed by threats, bombs and tradition
KABUL (Reuters) – The story of Afghan cricket is a rare bright spot in the troubled country’s recent past, full of unlikely successes and glory that have helped unify a divided nation. Unless you’re a woman player.
Out of tragedy, fortune for Sri Lankan tsunami village
SEENIGAMA, Sri Lanka (Reuters) – As towering waves came crashing into the southern coast of Sri Lanka on Dec. 26, 2004, Kushil Gunasekera gathered up his children and they ran for their lives to a nearby temple, the highest point they could find.
Spain’s Felipe VI condemns corruption in first Christmas speech
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s King Felipe VI lashed out against corruption in his first Christmas Eve address but made no direct reference to his sister, Cristina de Borbon, who was ordered on Monday to stand trial for tax crimes.
Disgraced anti-sex slavery crusader Mam unveils plans for new group
NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Disgraced Cambodian anti-sex trafficking activist Somaly Mam, who was forced to resign from her own foundation seven months ago amid reports her dramatic life story was fabricated, has unveiled plans to launch a …
Russia says NATO turning Ukraine into ‘frontline of confrontation’
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia said on Wednesday NATO was turning Ukraine into a “frontline of confrontation” and threatened to sever remaining ties with the Atlantic military alliance if Ukraine’s hopes of joining it were realized.
Without help, Libya could become next Syria, foreign minister says
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – (This story corrects name to al-Thinni in paragraphs 10, 11)
U.S.-led forces launch 17 air strikes in Syria, Iraq
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S.-led campaign against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq included 10 air strikes in Syria on Wednesday and seven in Iraq, the U.S. military said.
Japanese PM unveils new government, defense pick may rile China
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled a new cabinet on Wednesday, appointing a defense chief whose desire for a stronger pre-emptive strike capability could rile neighbor China.
