U.S. says Myanmar journalists’ sentences ‘send wrong message’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States, which has made a priority of improving relations with Myanmar, said on Friday it was “very concerned” by reports that four journalists and a newspaper boss were sentenced to 10 years’ hard labor there this mont…
Obama expresses concerns to Netanyahu about civilian Gaza deaths
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday said he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the situation in Gaza, underscoring the U.S. support for Israel to defend itself but raising concerns about consequences of wi…
Egyptian police officer shot dead in Sinai
CAIRO (Reuters) – One Egyptian police officer was shot dead on Friday by unknown armed assailants in the North Sinai city of El-Arish, security sources told Reuters.
Italy appeals court clears Berlusconi in sex trial
MILAN (Reuters) – An Italian appeals court unexpectedly overturned Silvio Berlusconi’s conviction on charges of abuse of office and paying for sex with a minor, in a significant legal victory for the former prime minister.
Spain summons UK ambassador over ‘inappropriate’ Gibraltar action
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain summoned the British ambassador on Friday to complain about Britain’s handling of an incident on Wednesday involving the Spanish Navy near the disputed territory of Gibraltar.
Syrian army, Islamic State clash near army airport: monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian soldiers clashed with Islamic State militants outside a government-controlled army airport on Friday, a British-based monitoring group said, part of a major escalation of fighting between the al Qaeda offshoot and the military…
U.N. accuses Islamic State of executions, rape, child abuse in Iraq
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The United Nations accused Islamic State fighters in Iraq of executing religious and other leaders as well as teachers and health workers, forcibly recruiting children and raping women among acts that amounted to war crimes.
Further sanctions would have ‘chilling effect’ on Russia: IIF
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Institute of International Finance warned on Friday that further sanctions on Russia would have a “broader chilling effect on Russia” and its companies who are already largely excluded from raising foreign capital.
AIDS community mourns as top experts feared killed in downed plane
MELBOURNE/AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The world of AIDS research was in shock on Friday after dozens of leading HIV experts were feared killed when a Malaysian plane was shot down over Ukraine, fuelling concerns that research on curing the disease could suff…
Typhoon slams into southern China, one dead
BEIJING (Reuters) – A super typhoon slammed into China on Friday killing one person, as the government ordered an all-out effort to prevent loss of life from a storm that has already killed at least 64 people in the Philippines.
