
Australia warns women IS no 'romantic adventure'
A worrying number of Australian women are heading to Iraq and Syria to become so-called Islamic State group "jihadi brides", Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Thursday, warning against notions of a "romantic adventure". ... more
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France sending weapons to Lebanon
French supplies of armaments will be arriving in Lebanon in the middle of April under a French-Saudi Arabian deal to strengthen the nation's defense capabilities. ... more
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China bids to host secretariat of new high seas treaty
Protected forests under threat in DRC's lucrative mining belt
Hundreds in London protest against Beijing 'mega embassy'
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Kurds blocking return of Arabs to disputed Iraq areas: watchdog
Kurdish forces have prevented displaced Arabs from returning to disputed areas of Iraq that Kurdish leaders want to incorporate in their autonomous region over Baghdad's objections, a report said Thursday. ... more
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US-led strikes on IS after group seizes 220 Christians
The US-led coalition carried out air strikes Thursday against the Islamic State group in northeastern Syria, where the jihadists have launched a new offensive and kidnapped 220 Assyrian Christians. ... more
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New Yorkers charged over IS extremist plot
Two New York Muslims were hauled before a federal court Wednesday charged with plotting to join Islamic State extremists in Syria and threatening to carry out attacks in the United States. ... more
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Kofi Annan to boost Colombia peace talks in Cuba visit
Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan arrives in Cuba on Thursday to help prod negotiators from the Colombian government and leftist guerrillas to clinch a peace agreement. ... more
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IS jihadists destroy ancient artefacts in Iraq: video
Islamic State militants armed with sledgehammers and jackhammers have destroyed priceless ancient artefacts in the Iraqi city of Mosul, a video released by the jihadists Thursday shows. ... more
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