U.N. accuses Islamic State of executions, rape, forced child recruitment in Iraq
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The United Nations accused Islamic State fighters in Iraq of executions, rape and forced recruitment of children during a campaign to seize much of northern Iraq, part of a conflict it said has killed almost 5,600 civilians this yea…
France’s Hollande warns of Islamist threat in West Africa
NIAMEY Niger (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande on Friday promoted a new military operation being rolled out in West Africa to take on a multi-faceted menace from Islamist groups that he warned threatened France’s interests and citizens.
Israel steps up Gaza ground offensive, civilian casualties grow
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel warned on Friday it could “significantly widen” a Gaza land offensive but was cautioned by its main ally, the United States, about the risks of further escalation as Palestinian civilian deaths mounted.
Pope calls for justice in 1994 attack on Argentine Jewish center
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Pope Francis called for justice to be served in his native Argentina on Friday, the twentieth anniversary of the deadly bombing of a Buenos Aires Jewish commuity center that local courts blamed on Iran.
Lebanon’s Hariri calls for lawmakers to elect a president
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Former Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri on Friday called on lawmakers to elect a president after nearly two months of a power vacuum in Lebanon.
Gunmen kill at least three in ambush on Kenyan bus
MOMBASA Kenya (Reuters) – Gunmen killed at least three people when they ambushed a bus along Kenya’s northern coast on Friday, a local official said.
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.
