Iran boosts military support in Syria to bolster Assad
LONDON/ANKARA (Reuters) – As Syria’s war nears the start of its fourth year, Iran has stepped up support on the ground for President Bashar al-Assad, providing elite teams to gather intelligence and train troops, sources with knowledge of military move…
Libyan official, patients killed as military plane crashes in Tunisia
TUNIS (Reuters) – An Islamist official in Libya’s government and 10 other passengers and crew were killed when a military plane carrying medical patients crashed near Tunisia’s capital early on Friday, officials said.
Lebanon detains top suspect in car bomb campaign
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanese security forces said on Friday they had detained a Sunni Muslim militant suspected of recruiting suicide bombers and assembling car bombs for a radical group behind attacks on Iranian interests in Beirut.
Unpaid Thai farmers call off airport tractor protest
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai farmers, angry at not being paid under a rice subsidy scheme, called off a protest tractor drive to Bangkok’s main airport on Friday after an assurance they would get their money, some welcome news for Prime Minister Yingluck S…
Japan to review testimony of women who served in wartime brothels
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan will review the testimony of South Korean women who served in wartime brothels, a senior official said on Friday, but he gave no indication whether Tokyo might water down a 1993 apology on the issue that has long caused friction…
Insight: Fears of Syria militancy expand influence of Saudi prince
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef, perhaps the most powerful younger prince in the ruling al-Saud family, is shaping Riyadh’s new emphasis on protecting the kingdom from a fresh wave of Islamist militancy inspired by the war…
Nigeria’s central bank governor to challenge suspension in court
LAGOS (Reuters) – Nigeria’s graft-fighting Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi said on Friday he would go to court to challenge his suspension by the president, saying he did not want his job back but wanted to question the legality of the move.
Lebanon detains top suspect in car bomb campaign
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanese security forces have detained a Sunni militant suspected of recruiting suicide bombers and assembling car bombs for a radical group that was behind attacks on Iranian interests in Beirut, security sources said on Friday.
Philippines to buy 12 South Korean fighters for $422 million
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines is to acquire a squadron of FA-50 fighters from South Korea in a deal worth $422 million (18.9 billion pesos), a senior Philippine defense official said on Friday, boosting its capability as tension simmers in the Sou…
Zimbabwe’s Mugabe turns 90
HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe turned 90 on Friday, far from home on a medical trip that has intensified concerns about his health and stoked a simmering succession battle in a country under his thumb for more than three decades….
