Israel launches ground offensive in Gaza Strip
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel launched a Gaza ground campaign after 10 days of bombardments from the air and sea failed to stop militants’ rocket attacks, stepping up an offensive that already has taken a heavy toll in civilian lives.
Malaysian airliner downed in Ukraine war zone, 295 dead
HRABOVE Ukraine (Reuters) – A Malaysian airliner was brought down in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, killing all 295 people aboard and sharply raising the stakes in a conflict between Kiev and pro-Moscow rebels that has set Russia and the West at daggers …
New U.S. sanctions hit top Russian firms; Kiev says Russia shoots down its jet
WASHINGTON/MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Barack Obama imposed sanctions on some of Russia’s biggest firms for the first time, striking at the heart of Vladimir Putin’s powerbase by targeting companies closest to him over Moscow’s failure to curb violenc…
Libyan militia says ceasefire reached to end airport fighting
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – A Libyan militia battling a rival armed group over control of the country’s biggest airport is ready for a peaceful solution after five days of heavy fighting, a spokesman said on Thursday.
Scottish separatists close gap on pro-union rivals: poll
EDINBURGH (Reuters) – Scottish separatists are closing the gap on their unionist rivals as a September independence referendum draws nearer, according to a poll on Friday.
U.N. Security Council condemns North Korea missile launches
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The U.N. Security Council on Thursday condemned recent ballistic missile launches by North Korea, describing the three rounds of Scud short-range missiles fired in June and July as a violation of council demands on Pyongyang….
Libya asks U.N. Security Council for help protecting oil, airports
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Libya asked the U.N. Security Council on Thursday for help protecting its oil installations, oil export ports and civil airports, warning that without more international assistance the North African oil producer could become …
Israeli PM orders ground offensive in Gaza: official statement
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday instructed the military to begin a ground offensive in Gaza, an official statement from his office said.
Baghdad blast claimed by Islamic State, suicide car bomb kill nine
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – A suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State militant group killed three people on Thursday in the centre of Baghdad and a second bomb outside the Iraqi capital killed six people, police and medics said.
Islamist group claims attack that killed French soldier in Mali
DAKAR/ABIDJAN (Reuters) – An armed Islamist group formed by al Qaeda commander Mokhtar Belmokhtar claimed responsibility on Thursday for a suicide bombing this week that killed a French soldier in northern Mali.
