Iraqi forces ready push after Obama offers advisers
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi forces were massing north of Baghdad on Friday, aiming to strike back at Sunni Islamists whose drive toward the capital prompted the United States to send military advisers to stiffen government resistance.
Palestinian village wins UNESCO listing against Israel barrier plan
RAMALLAH West Bank (Reuters) – A Palestinian village joined UNESCO’s world heritage sites list on Friday after an emergency nomination meant to try to block Israel from building a barrier across its ancient farmland.
China sends four oil rigs to South China Sea amid regional tensions
BEIJING (Reuters) – China has sent four oil rigs into the South China Sea in a sign that Beijing is stepping up its exploration for oil and gas in the tense region, less than two months after it positioned a giant drilling platform in waters claimed by…
Ukraine crisis forces U.S. to bolster Europe forces
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Only last year, the U.S. European Command was facing some of the deepest cuts of any region in the U.S. military. Now, after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the Pentagon finds itself focusing on the continent in a way not seen in …
Russia opens new criminal case involving Putin critic Navalny
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian investigators opened a criminal case into the theft of a picture found in the home of a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin on Friday, in what his lawyer described as part of a Kremlin campaign against him.
Central America presses Biden on migrant rights as U.S. vows aid
GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) – Central American leaders on Friday pressed visiting U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden to improve migrant rights, even as the United States committed tens of millions of dollars in extra aid to the region in a bid to stem a surge …
Palestinian village wins UNESCO listing against Israel barrier plan
RAMALLAH West Bank (Reuters) – A Palestinian village joined UNESCO’s world heritage sites list on Friday after an emergency nomination meant to try to block Israel from building a barrier across its ancient farmland.
New battles as Ukraine says 300 separatists killed in fighting
KIEV (Reuters) – Fighting raged for a second successive day in the east of Ukraine on Friday, a day after clashes in which Ukrainian government forces said about 300 separatists were killed.
Nigeria wraps up kidnap investigation with 200 girls still missing
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria wrapped up its inquiry into the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls by militants on Friday with little progress to show, reporting almost none had been freed after the initial kidnapping some girls escaped from.
Saudi king arrives in Cairo to visit Egypt’s Sisi: state TV
CAIRO (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah arrived in Cairo late on Friday, state television reported, for a symbolic visit underlining the strong support the ageing monarch is showing for new President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
