Fierce crackdown on dissent no laughing matter in Egypt
CAIRO (Reuters) – When President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said people should not moan about Egypt because it was not like war-ravaged Iraq or Syria, his remark gave birth to a joke: New Egyptian passports should read “The Country not like Iraq or Syria.”
India under pressure to explain who blew up Pakistani boat
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – The Indian government is under pressure to explain what caused a Pakistani fishing boat to explode, killing four people on board in mysterious circumstances, after a senior Indian coast guard official said it was deliberately targ…
Iraq civil war leader rallies Shi’ite fighters against Islamic State
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Abu Deraa sits at home in Baghdad’s Sadr City, ringed by images of 7th century Shi’ite Muslim Imams Ali and Hussein. A hero to Shi’ite militiamen during Iraq’s civil war, he no longer fights but still stirs the hearts of men now bat…
French government tells rebels: back us or go
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s ruling Socialists threatened to evict any rebel backbenchers from the party if they joined a no-confidence vote against the government scheduled for Thursday, underscoring growing tensions in coalition ranks.
Senegal seeks seven-year sentence for ex-president Wade’s son
DAKAR (Reuters) – A Sengalese special prosecutor is seeking a seven-year prison sentence for Karim Wade, the son of a former president, on charges of illicit enrichment, Wade’s lawyer said on Wednesday.
Moldovan parliament set to install new pro-EU prime minister
CHISINAU (Reuters) – Moldova’s parliament is expected on Wednesday to approve as prime minister 38-year-old businessman Chiril Gaburici, who promises to forge closer ties with Europe, despite fears of a possible Russian backlash.
Uzbekistan amnesties prominent religious figure, HRW says
ALMATY (Reuters) – Uzbekistan, ruled by authoritarian president Islam Karimov, has released a prominent journalist and preacher from prison a year early, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Wednesday.
Scores killed in Aleppo battles after army offensive: Syria monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Battles in and around the Syrian city of Aleppo have killed at least 70 pro-government fighters and more than 80 insurgents after the army launched an offensive there, a monitoring group said on Wednesday.
Israeli defense minister lands at India airshow to boost arms sales
BENGALURU (Reuters) – Israel’s defense minister arrived in India on Wednesday to help sell his country’s arms industry to the world’s largest defense importer and promote deepening military ties between the two nations.
Nigeria kills 300 Boko Haram militants in recapture of 11 towns: military
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Nigerian forces backed by air strikes have killed more than 300 Boko Haram fighters during an operation to recapture 11 towns and villages since the start of the week, the military said on Wednesday.
