Dutch special forces in Mali tackle changing threat: minister
DAKAR (Reuters) – Dutch troops have joined a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali to meet a growing security threat from the region to the Netherlands, and Europe as a whole that “softer” approaches can no longer contain, the Dutch foreign minister said.
South Sudan president urges rebel leader to resume talks
JUBA/ ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Wednesday called on rebels to resume peace talks as the country marked its third birthday with celebrations overshadowed by fighting that has killed thousands and brought it to the verge…
EU says powers united on Iran after France suggests splits
VIENNA (Reuters) – The six world powers negotiating with Iran over its nuclear programme are “completely united”, an EU spokesman said on Wednesday, a day after France suggested there were differences between Russia and some of the others.
Refugee agency says more than 35,000 people displaced by Yemen fighting
SANAA (Reuters) – More than 35,000 people have been displaced in Yemen’s Omran province, a local government refugee agency said on Wednesday, a day after Shi’ite Muslim tribal fighters overran the provincial capital following fighting that killed more …
Fifty-three blindfolded bodies found in Iraq as political leaders bicker
BAGHDAD Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqi security forces found 53 corpses, blindfolded and handcuffed, south of Baghdad on Wednesday as Shi’ite and Kurdish leaders traded accusations over an Islamist insurgency raging in the country’s Sunni provinces.
Fugitive Snowden asks to extend stay in Russia: lawyer
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden has asked Moscow to extend his asylum in Russia, his lawyer said on Wednesday.
Syrian government forces squeeze insurgents in Aleppo
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian armed forces have taken strategic ground around Aleppo this week, residents and state media said on Wednesday, squeezing the main rebel supply line into the city after months of battlefield gains by Damascus.
Egyptian soldier killed in Sinai explosion
CAIRO (Reuters) – One soldier was killed and four others wounded in an explosion in the Egyptian town of Rafah, near the border with Israel, security sources told Reuters on Wednesday.
Russia gives green light for next U.S. ambassador
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia has given the green light for career diplomat John Tefft to be appointed U.S. ambassador to Moscow, an aide to President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.
U.S. blacklists UAE firm for flouting sanctions on Syria
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Wednesday slapped sanctions on a United Arab Emirates company for supplying specialty petroleum products to the Syrian government, and blacklisted two additional Syrian companies.
