South Africa’s latest power struggle: unpaid bills
SOWETO South Africa (Reuters) – Zodwa Madiba has not paid an electricity bill in 14 years and is resolute she never will, holding the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to vague promises made in the dying days of apartheid to provide free electrici…
Iraqi Kurds say West not providing enough arms to defeat Islamic State
PARIS (Reuters) – The president of Iraqi Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani, accused Western countries on Wednesday of not providing enough heavy weapons to help his ‘peshmerga’ forces deliver a “decisive blow” against Islamic State militants.
Gunmen driven out, but bullet-scarred Lebanese city still boils
TRIPOLI Lebanon (Reuters) – So many bullet holes cover the apartment blocks and shops in the Bab al-Tabbeneh district of northern Lebanon’s main city Tripoli that you can hardly tell which conflict they are from any more.
France says jets strike IS targets to break Kirkuk frontline
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s defence ministry said on Wednesday that two Rafale jets had struck Islamic State targets alongside coalition planes near the northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk in an effort to breach the group’s frontlines.
Saudi King calls on Egypt to back Gulf accord: statement
DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi King Abdullah called on Egypt on Wednesday to back an agreement between Gulf Arab states that ended an eight-month dispute over Qatar’s backing of Islamist movements and its promotion of Arab Spring revolts.
Pope condemns Jerusalem synagogue attack
ROME (Reuters) – Pope Francis has condemned an attack by two Palestinians who killed five Jews in a Jerusalem synagogue, and expressed concern about rising tension and violence in the city.
Indian police storm religious leader’s compound to find six dead
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian police on Wednesday deployed water cannon and a baton charge in storming the hermitage of a self-styled religious leader who is resisting arrest for murder, discovering six bodies in an operation to evacuate thousands of hi…
Second Frenchman likely on IS beheading video: government spokesman
PARIS (Reuters) – France believes a second French militant appears on a beheading video released by Islamic State at the weekend, government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said on Wednesday.
Eleven kindergarten children killed in China bus crash
BEIJING (Reuters) – Eleven kindergarten children were killed when their packed bus crashed into a truck in eastern China, state media reported on Tuesday, in the latest of a series of accidents that have sparked anger over unsafe school transport.
India hands dossier to Bangladesh on terror plots
DHAKA (Reuters) – India has handed Bangladesh a list of 11 men suspected of plotting attacks including one targeting its prime minister, officials said on Wednesday, as the two countries tighten security cooperation against Islamist militants.
