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.
Hong Kong protesters march after fruitless talks with government
HONG KONG (Reuters) – About 200 Hong Kong protesters marched to the home of the city’s Beijing-backed leader on Wednesday to push their case for greater democracy a day after talks between student leaders and senior officials failed to break the deadlo…
U.S. trial for Libyan al Qaeda suspect, bin Laden associate delayed
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The U.S. terrorism trial of suspected al Qaeda figure Abu Anas Al-Liby and accused Osama Bin Laden associate Khalid al-Fawwaz has been postponed for more than two months until Jan. 12, 2015.
Burkina Faso opposition rejects referendum plan, calls for protests
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) – Opposition parties in Burkina Faso accused President Blaise Compaore on Wednesday of preparing a “constitutional coup d’etat” and called for nationwide protests against moves to remove a two-term limit for the presidency.
Air strikes kill around 25 Islamic State fighters in Iraq: residents
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Coalition air strikes killed around 25 Islamic State fighters on Wednesday near the northern Iraqi city of Baiji, residents told Reuters.
