Pakistan army says more than 100 soldiers died in fighting
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan’s army on Wednesday said more than 100 soldiers had been killed by Taliban militants in the last five months, in a rare admission of mass casualties since the start of government efforts to engage the insurgents in peace …
Afghan Taliban repudiates hoped-for olive branch to government
KABUL (Reuters) – The Taliban said on Wednesday it had nothing to do with a recent meeting of former and current Taliban figures who appeared open to talks with the Afghan government, raising hope of a negotiated end to many years of bloodshed.
Europe’s centre left to take most votes in EU elections: poll
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The center left is likely to win the most seats in European Parliament elections in May, a survey showed on Wednesday, boosting the group’s chances of also winning the presidency of the European Commission.
Saudi Arabia jails seven men for up to 20 years for demonstrating
DUBAI (Reuters) – A Riyadh court sentenced seven men to between six and 20 years in jail on Wednesday for offences that included taking part in protests in the town of Qatif, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, state news agency SPA said.
Niger hosts U.S.-organized exercises to strengthen African security
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Over 1,000 soldiers from 18 African and Western nations launched a U.S. organized counter-terrorism training exercise in Niger on Wednesday aimed at improving security capabilities across Africa’s Sahara-Sahel zone.
Libya to compensate women raped during 2011 uprising
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya will offer compensation to women raped during the 2011 NATO-backed uprising which toppled Muammar Gaddafi, its justice minister said on Wednesday, touching a taboo subject.
Russia, Britain, France say possible U.N. Syria aid vote this week
MOSCOW/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – A U.N. Security Council resolution to boost humanitarian aid access in war-torn Syria could be approved within days, Russia, Britain and France said on Wednesday, but Moscow warned against any attempts to “politicize” …
Britain sets out new test to limit EU migrant benefits
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain laid out new rules on Wednesday designed to limit the access that migrants from other European Union states have to the country’s welfare system.
Pussy Riot say Cossacks beat them with whips in Sochi
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – Members of the all-women Russian protest group Pussy Riot said they were beaten with whips on Wednesday by Cossacks who are helping patrol Sochi during the Winter Olympics.
Islamists attack Nigerian general’s house, one soldier killed
MAIDUGURI (Reuters) – Islamist group Boko Haram attacked the house of an army general in northeast Nigeria’s Borno state overnight, killing one of the soldiers guarding it, police said on Wednesday.
