Top U.S. general mulls sending advisers with Iraqi ground troops
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The top U.S. general told lawmakers on Thursday he would consider sending American military advisers to accompany Iraqi troops if they advance against Islamic State militants in the difficult terrain near Mosul and the Iraqi bord…
Iraq needs 80,000 good troops to retake lost territory: U.S. general
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Iraq will need about 80,000 effective military troops to retake the terrain it lost to Islamic State militants and restore its border with Syria, the top U.S. general said on Thursday.
After U.S.-China climate deal, focus on India to follow suit
WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI (Reuters) – After this week’s carbon deal between the United States and China, No. 3 emitter India faces growing pressure to devise a clear strategy and step out of China’s shadow during pivotal global climate talks.
Court cuts Berlusconi associates’ jail terms in prostitution trial
MILAN (Reuters) – An Italian appeals court on Thursday cut jail sentences given to three associates of Silvio Berlusconi for procuring prostitutes for “bunga bunga” parties at the former prime minister’s home.
Niger’s capital city fires entire municipal police force after strike
NIAMEY (Reuters) – The mayor of Niger’s capital dismissed the city’s entire 204-strong municipal police force on Thursday after officers clashed with security forces during a protest over working conditions.
Mexico captures son of cartel leader ‘El Mayo’ Zambada
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s army has captured the son of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the leader of the powerful Sinaloa cartel, a government source said on Thursday.
Britain’s Major calls UKIP the ‘anti-everything’ party
BERLIN (Reuters) – Britain’s former prime minister John Major called Eurosceptic party UKIP a “thoroughly negative body” which should be pushed back onto the political sidelines, during an appearance in Berlin on Thursday.
Nigerian army, hunters and vigilantes retake towns from Boko Haram
YOLA Nigeria (Reuters) – The Nigerian army, aided by local hunters and civilian vigilantes, has recaptured two northeastern towns that had been overrun by Islamist insurgents, a state governor and residents told Reuters on Thursday.
Zen anti-Vietnam war leader suffers brain hemorrhage in France
PARIS (Reuters) – Internationally renowned Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh, who in the 1960s came to prominence as an opponent of the Vietnam war, is in intensive care in France after suffering a brain hemorrhage, his official website said Thursday.
Kurdistan region, Baghdad reach deal on oil exports and payments
BAGHDAD/ARBIL (Reuters) – The government of Iraq and the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan have reached a deal to ease tensions over Kurdish oil exports and civil service payments from Baghdad, Iraq’s finance minister told Reuters on Thursday.
