Chinese peacekeepers expected in South Sudan at start of 2015: U.N.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Some 700 Chinese peacekeepers are expected to join a United Nations mission in South Sudan at the start of next year, the head of the U.N. operation said on Wednesday, though she appealed for Beijing to deploy the battalion “…
Niger buys ‘spy plane’ to combat Sahel militants
NIAMEY (Reuters) – The government of Niger has purchased a reconnaissance plane as part of its effort to combat Islamist fighters and criminal gangs operating on its vast territory, the West African country’s interior minister said on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia jails al Qaeda suspects over plot to hit U.S. forces
DUBAI (Reuters) – A Saudi court has sentenced 17 people, four of them women, to prison terms of up to 30 years in two separate cases, one of which involving an al Qaeda plot to attack U.S. soldiers in Qatar and Kuwait, the state news agency SPA said.
At least three drugs smugglers killed in attack along Egypt border: Israel
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – At least three attackers in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula, probably drugs smugglers, were killed after they opened fire on Israeli soldiers across the border on Wednesday and wounded two, the Israeli military said.
Central African Republic to create rapid intervention unit, reform army
BANGUI (Reuters) – Central African Republic plans to create a rapid intervention unit to help rebuild its army and stamp out persistent inter-religious clashes, the country’s interim leader said.
NATO, Swedish fighters scrambled to intercept Russian plane
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO and Swedish fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a Russian intelligence-gathering plane that briefly entered Estonian airspace on Tuesday, the alliance said on Wednesday.
Nigeria talks with Boko Haram but no sign of girls’ release
N’DJAMENA/MAIDUGURI (Reuters) – Nearly a week after Nigeria announced a ceasefire deal with Boko Haram, which it said would include the release of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamist group, there is still no sign of the girls being free…
Brazil candidates battle for key prize: Their hometown
BELO HORIZONTE Brazil (Reuters) – The two candidates in Brazil’s presidential election runoff on Sunday grew up just seven blocks apart, attending the same elite tennis club, watching movies at the same theater and strolling through the same leafy plaz…
EU to call on Russia to help stabilize Ukraine: statement
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – EU leaders will urge Russia at a summit this week to do more to stabilize Ukraine, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters, but diplomats expect no change in sanctions on Moscow in the near future.
Al-Qaeda kills 30 Shi’ite rebels in central Yemen: tribal sources
SANAA (Reuters) – Sunni Al Qaeda militants and Shi’ite Muslim rebels have fought a bloody battle in central Yemen, tribal sources said on Wednesday, amid fears of worsening sectarian tension in the impoverished Arabian country.
