Young Islamic State robs al Qaeda of militant prestige
DUBAI (Reuters) – In hiding, targeted by drone strikes and unable to land a blow in the West, al Qaeda’s ageing leaders are losing a power struggle with ultra-radical young militants in Iraq and Syria who see themselves as the true successors to Osama …
‘Flawless’ Thai army ruler would be good PM: junta colleague
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai General Prayuth Chan-ocha has run the country flawlessly since he seized power in a military coup in May and would make a good prime minister under a provisional administration to be set up shortly, a junta colleague said on We…
Typhoon Matmo slams into Taiwan, one killed, some damage reported
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Typhoon Matmo slammed into Taiwan on Wednesday with heavy rains and strong winds, shutting financial markets and schools, with at least one person killed and some damage reported.
Oil smuggling finances Islamic State’s new caliphate
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Islamic State militants seized four small oilfields when they swept through north Iraq last month and are now selling crude oil and gasoline from them to finance their newly declared “caliphate”.
Indonesian president-elect Jokowi calls for unity after bitter election
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was declared the winner of Indonesia’s presidential election on Tuesday, bringing the promise of major reforms to the world’s third largest democracy.
Poll shows Brazil’s Rousseff would win presidential runoff
SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazil President Dilma Rousseff would win a second-round runoff against either opponent and has 38 percent of voter support ahead of her October re-election bid, a new poll by the IBOPE polling institute showed on Tuesday.
Israel pounds Gaza despite international peace efforts
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel pounded targets across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, saying no ceasefire was near as top U.S. and United Nations diplomats pursued talks on halting the fighting that has claimed more than 600 lives.
Train carrying MH17 bodies on final journey reaches Ukraine city
DONETSK Ukraine (Reuters) – A train carrying the remains of many of the 298 victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 arrived in a Ukrainian government-held city on Tuesday on the first leg of their final journey home to be reclaimed by their families.
Iraqi air strikes kill 19 around militant-held Falluja: medical official
FALLUJA Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqi government air strikes killed 19 people, including children, in Falluja on Monday and Tuesday, a health official in the militant-held city said.
Benin detains 10 people in child trafficking probe
COTONOU (Reuters) – Benin has detained 10 people on suspicions of child-trafficking just weeks after a group in neighboring Niger was held for links to a “baby factory” ring, police sources said on Tuesday.
