WORLD HEADLINES

More fighting, air strikes in Yemen, civilian death toll exceeds 550

By Mohammed Mukhashaf ADEN (Reuters) – Fighting between Yemen’s warring factions raged in southern and central parts of the country and air strikes hit Houthi militia forces in Aden on Friday, but there were no fresh moves toward dialogue. Saudi Arabia says it is winding down its month-old bombing operation against the Iran-allied Houthis and forces loyal to Yemen’s former president. The civilian death toll from the fighting and airstrikes

Italian judge confirms arrest of migrant boat accused

By James Mackenzie CATANIA, Italy (Reuters) – An Italian judge on Friday ordered that the presumed captain of a migrant boat that sank with the loss of more than 700 lives should remain in custody after prosecutors asked for him to be charged with homicide and people-trafficking. Mohammed Alì Malek, 27, denies that he was in charge of the heavily overloaded fishing boat that capsized off Libya late on Saturday

Italian judge confirms arrest of migrant boat accused

By James Mackenzie CATANIA, Italy (Reuters) – An Italian judge on Friday ordered that the presumed captain of a migrant boat that sank with the loss of more than 700 lives should remain in custody after prosecutors asked for him to be charged with homicide and people-trafficking. Mohammed Alì Malek, 27, denies that he was in charge of the heavily overloaded fishing boat that capsized off Libya late on Saturday

U.N. aid chief urges Syria sanctions, Jolie pleads for refugee help

By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations aid chief urged the Security Council on Friday to impose an arms embargo and sanctions in Syria for violations of humanitarian law as special envoy Angelina Jolie pleaded with council members to visit millions of Syrian refugees. The aid official, Valerie Amos, also appealed to the council to mandate the United Nations’ commission of inquiry on Syria to specifically investigate

U.N. aid chief urges Syria sanctions, Jolie pleads for refugee help

By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations aid chief urged the Security Council on Friday to impose an arms embargo and sanctions in Syria for violations of humanitarian law as special envoy Angelina Jolie pleaded with council members to visit millions of Syrian refugees. The aid official, Valerie Amos, also appealed to the council to mandate the United Nations’ commission of inquiry on Syria to specifically investigate

Iran says nuclear talks making gradual headway

Nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers are making good but slow progress as they work toward a June 30 deadline for a final deal, Tehran’s senior negotiator said on Friday. Diplomats are negotiating to fill the gaps in an April 2 framework agreement that would curb Iran’s nuclear program, allaying Western fears it could develop an atomic bomb, in return for relief from international sanctions. Iran, which denies

Iran says nuclear talks making gradual headway

Nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers are making good but slow progress as they work toward a June 30 deadline for a final deal, Tehran’s senior negotiator said on Friday. Diplomats are negotiating to fill the gaps in an April 2 framework agreement that would curb Iran’s nuclear program, allaying Western fears it could develop an atomic bomb, in return for relief from international sanctions. Iran, which denies

Killing of U.S. al Qaeda media frontman seen as big blow for militants

By Robert Birsel ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – The killing of an American who directed al Qaeda’s media campaign from his Pakistani hideout is likely to be a big blow for the militants, especially as they wage a propaganda war with Islamic State. American al Qaeda member Adam Gadahn, who faced treason charges in the United States, was killed early this year in a strike on an al Qaeda camp in Pakistan,

Killing of U.S. al Qaeda media frontman seen as big blow for militants

By Robert Birsel ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – The killing of an American who directed al Qaeda’s media campaign from his Pakistani hideout is likely to be a big blow for the militants, especially as they wage a propaganda war with Islamic State. American al Qaeda member Adam Gadahn, who faced treason charges in the United States, was killed early this year in a strike on an al Qaeda camp in Pakistan,

Suspected Al-Qaeda militants arrested in Italy for Vatican plot

By Philip Pullella ROME (Reuters) – Italian police were arresting 18 people on Friday suspected of belonging to an armed group linked to al Qaeda who were plotting attacks on the Vatican as well as in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Some of the suspects, who are all Pakistanis and Afghans, were arrested in early morning raids across Italy. Though the suspects were plotting attacks mainly in their native countries, phone taps