Iraq hangs 11 convicted of terrorism
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq hanged 11 people convicted of terrorist offences on Thursday, the justice ministry said, pursuing what a U.N. official has criticized as a “conveyor-belt of executions”.
Kenya orders audit to stamp out public payroll fraud
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya’s president on Thursday ordered an audit of the public sector payroll to end the practice of corrupt officials claiming salaries on behalf of “ghost employees” – workers who have died, retired or deserted their duties.
UK completes military cuts, says it remains worthy U.S. partner
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain on Thursday announced the final part of a plan to shrink its armed forces by around a sixth to save money, but said it could still project force globally and be a worthy partner to the United States on the battlefield.
Indian woman says gang-raped on orders of village court
KOLKATA, Jan 23 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – A 20-year-old woman in eastern India was gang-raped by 13 men on the orders of a village court as punishment for having a relationship with a man from a different community, a senior police officer said on…
Clashes in Central African Republic as new leader sworn in
BANGUI (Reuters) – Two people were shot dead in Central African Republic on Thursday in a clash that highlighted the scale of the task facing new interim President Catherine Samba-Panza as she took the oath of office.
IAEA expected to win member state backing for expanded Iran role
VIENNA (Reuters) – Several countries are expected to voice readiness on Friday to help pay for the U.N. atomic watchdog’s expanded role in Iran to monitor a nuclear deal with six world powers, diplomats said, suggesting funding will not be a problem.
Rights group says Muslims massacred in Myanmar amid official denials
YANGON (Reuters) – Security forces in western Myanmar massacred at least 40 Rohingya Muslims last week in a new outburst of violence since the end of military rule in 2011, a human rights group said on Thursday, despite official denials.
Chile president-elect’s proposals enjoy broad support: poll
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Chile’s president-elect Michelle Bachelet will embark on a second term, riding a wave of popular support that includes widespread backing for her key policy proposals, according to a poll released on Thursday.
Merkel, SPD try to smooth over bumpy start to coalition government
MESEBERG, Germany (Reuters) – Conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel and her center-left partners tried to allay concerns about a rocky start to their month-old coalition on Thursday, saying they had a clear road map ahead after two days of talks north …
Britain may order 14 F-35 jets as early as next week: sources
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain may announce an order for 14 Lockheed Martin-built F-35 super-stealth jets as early as next week, three sources familiar with the talks told Reuters.
