Bombs kill at least 17 across Iraq: police and medics
HILLA, Iraq (Reuters) – At least 17 civilians and soldiers were killed in car and roadside bomb attacks across Iraq on Wednesday, police and medics said.
Mass grave found in Central African Republic; U.N. warns of ‘cleansing’
BANGUI (Reuters) – A top U.N. official warned on Wednesday of “ethnic-religious cleansing” in the Central African Republic, as peacekeepers uncovered a mass grave at a military camp occupied by Seleka rebels in the capital Bangui.
Panama says freed North Korean ship to sail later Wednesday
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – A North Korean ship detained near the Panama Canal for smuggling Cuban weapons will set sail with most of its crew aboard later on Wednesday after the ship’s representatives paid a trafficking fine to free it, Panama’s governmen…
Uganda’s ruling party urges Museveni to run again in 2016
KAMPALA (Reuters) – Uganda’s ruling party passed a resolution urging President Yoweri Museveni to run for re-election in 2016 in a show of solidarity seen as a message to party rivals not to bother challenging Museveni for leadership.
Colombian president seen poised for re-election: poll
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos would be re-elected during a second round of voting in presidential elections this year, according to pollster Gallup, leading with a wide margin against his closest rival.
Exclusive: Opposition plan for post-war Syria ignores Assad
GENEVA (Reuters) – The Syrian opposition called on Wednesday for a transitional governing body to oversee a U.N.-monitored ceasefire across Syria and expel foreign fighters, in a paper that avoided any mention of President Bashar al-Assad.
Lebanese army seizes top al Qaeda-linked militant
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon’s army on Wednesday arrested a senior al Qaeda-linked militant described by officials as a “mastermind of car bombs” hitting Shi’ite areas in recent months, triggering a major security sweep in the country.
Euro parliament chief creates waves in Israel
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The visiting president of the European parliament landed in hot water in Israel on Wednesday, drawing a public rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over an address to the Israeli legislature.
Exclusive: Libya oil rebel’s brother arrested in UAE
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – The brother of a former rebel who has blockaded Libyan oil ports was held in Dubai after Tripoli issued an Interpol notice for his arrest on charges of trying to smuggle oil, Libyan government officials said.
Guinea arrests, checks foreigners in drugs clampdown
CONAKRY (Reuters) – Guinea has arrested about 20 Nigerians and started checking Latin American workers here in a crackdown on a growing wave of drug trafficking through the West African state, Guinean officials said.