Jordan prisoner swap on hold, fate of Japanese IS hostage unclear
AMMAN (Reuters) – Jordan said on Wednesday it had received no assurance that one of its pilots captured by Islamic State insurgents was safe and that it would go ahead with a proposed prisoner swap only if he was freed.
Syria says approves U.N. $2.9 billion humanitarian aid plan for 2015
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Syria said on Wednesday it has approved a United Nations plan to deliver humanitarian aid to millions of people in the war-torn country this year, but warned the only way to the end the crisis was to help Damascus fight terro…
Israel says Turkish criticism inappropriate at Holocaust memorial service
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Israel on Wednesday accused a senior Turkish official of “misusing” a Holocaust commemoration to criticize Israeli policy, the latest exchange in a bitter row between the former allies.
Greek PM Tsipras freezes privatisations, markets tumble
ATHENS (Reuters) – Leftist Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras threw down an open challenge to international creditors on Wednesday by halting privatisation plans agreed under the country’s bailout deal, prompting a third day of heavy losses on financi…
Russia says Kiev’s actions will escalate Ukraine fighting
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia said on Wednesday military action by the Ukrainian government would prompt an “inevitable further escalation of the conflict” with pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and undermine any peacemaking.
Venezuela’s Cabello: defector after money, can’t prove drug claims
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan Socialist Party heavyweight Diosdado Cabello on Wednesday said a defector reportedly accusing him of running a drug ring was merely chasing money and had no proof.
Raul Castro warns U.S. against meddling in Cuba’s affairs
SAN JOSE (Reuters) – Cuba will not accept any interference from the United States, President Raul Castro said on Wednesday, warning that meddling in its internal affairs would make rapprochement between the two countries “meaningless.”
Thailand accuses U.S. of meddling in its politics
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand accused the United States on Wednesday of meddling in its political affairs, saying many Thais had been hurt by remarks of a visiting U.S. envoy who criticized actions by the ruling military junta.
Survivors say Iraqi forces watched as Shi’ite militias executed 72 Sunnis
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Survivors tell the same story: they were taken from their homes by men in uniform; heads down and linked together, then led in small groups to a field, made to kneel, and selected to be shot one by one.
Libyan carrier halts flights after crew killed in Tripoli hotel attack
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libyan carrier Buraq Airlines said on Wednesday it had suspended all flights for two days after one of its air crews was killed in an attack on a luxury hotel in Tripoli.
