Syrian forces win battle with rebels in Hama
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian army said on Friday it had taken control of a town northwest of Hama where the Nusra Front had been massing forces, dealing a blow to the al Qaeda-linked group that has been trying to open new fronts after losing ground to…
Nigerian army clashes with militants outside northeast city
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigerian government forces were fighting Islamist insurgents 35 km (20 miles) outside Borno state capital Maiduguri on Friday to try to stop any attack on the northeastern city, local residents said.
Former Northern Irish unionist leader Ian Paisley dies: party
BELFAST (Reuters) – Hardline Protestant cleric and former Northern Ireland leader Ian Paisley has died at the age of 88, his Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said on Friday.
Germany bans Islamic State in bid to stop attacks, recruitment
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany announced a ban on Islamic State on Friday, saying it aimed to prevent the militants from recruiting young jihadists in Germany, especially via the internet, or from using combat-hardened fighters returning to Europe to carry…
Three get death for China train station attack
BEIJING (Reuters) – A Chinese court sentenced three people to death and one to life in prison on Friday for an attack at a train station that triggered a sweeping crackdown on what Beijing calls militant violence.
Dutch hope metal shards will lead them to missile that hit MH17
ROTTERDAM (Reuters) – Investigators trying to find out who shot down Malaysia Airlines MH17 over eastern Ukraine have recovered 25 pieces of metal from baggage and bodies, which could lead them to the missile believed to have torn apart the airliner.
Malala’s attackers arrested in Pakistan: army
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan’s army said on Friday authorities had arrested a group of Taliban militants responsible for shooting Malala Yousafzai, a teenage activist who was targeted for her campaign against Taliban efforts to deny girls education.
For Assad, U.S. plan will weaken one foe but bolster others
BEIRUT (Reuters) – By striking Islamic State in Syria, the United States would be weakening one of President Bashar al-Assad’s major enemies. But the new U.S. strategy may still unnerve Assad by helping other opponents determined to overthrow him.
Russia fears sanctions on refineries, expects gasoline shortages
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Any further Western sanctions which may aim at technology for Russia’s modernizing oil refineries could lead to gasoline shortages, an energy ministry official said.
U.S. wins Arab support for Syria/Iraq military campaign
JEDDAH (Reuters) – The United States signed up Arab allies on Thursday to a “coordinated military campaign” against Islamic State fighters, a major step in building regional support for President Barack Obama’s plan to strike both sides of the Syrian-I…
