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Report ranks countries where religion faces highest government and social persecution

United States RNS A report by Pew Research Center on international religious freedom named Egypt, Syria, Pakistan and Iraq as the countries where both government restrictions and social hostility most limit the ability of religious minorities to practice their faith. Governmental attacks and social hostility toward various religions usually “go hand in hand”, said the […]

Pope reveals he was target of suicide bomb attempt during 2021 Iraq visit

Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis has revealed he was the target of an attempted suicide bombing during his visit to Iraq three years ago, the first by a Catholic pontiff to the country and probably the riskiest foreign trip of his 11-year papacy. In an excerpt published on Tuesday from a forthcoming autobiography, Francis said […]

Syrian rebels capture key city of Hama in fresh blow to Assad

Amman, Jordan/Beirut, Lebanon Reuters Syrian rebels captured the city of Hama on Thursday, a major victory in a week-old lightning advance across northern Syria and a devastating new blow to President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies. After years locked behind frozen frontlines, the rebels have burst forth to mount the swiftest battlefield […]

Syrian rebels advance close to Hama city, piling pressure on Assad and his allies

Beirut, Lebanon/Amman, Jordan Reuters Syrian rebels advancing against government forces pushed close on Tuesday to the major city of Hama, rebels and a war monitor said, after their sudden capture of Aleppo last week rocked President Bashar al-Assad. Rebels and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said insurgents had captured villages including Maar […]

Jury finds US defence contractor liable in torture at Abu Ghraib prison

Washington DC, US Reuters A federal jury on Tuesday found US defence contractor CACI International liable for its role in torture at the Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad during the Iraq war and ordered it to pay $US42 million in damages. The jury’s verdict found the Virginia-based company liable in the torture of Iraqi men […]

Iraq tries to avoid regional fight as militias fire at Israel

Baghdad, Iraq Reuters Nervously watching Israel’s destructive campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon, Iraq is working to avoid being drawn into the growing regional conflict as Iran-backed armed groups launch attacks on Israel from Iraqi soil, sources familiar with the matter say. Two decades after the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, Iraq is experiencing relative […]

At 10-year mark, US and allies weigh future of Islamic State mission

Brussels, Belgium Reuters Ten years to the day after the formal launch of the US-led operation against the Islamic State, the United States and its NATO allies gathered in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the future of a mission facing increasing headwinds. Niger kicked out the US military from its counter-terrorism base in West Africa […]

Yazidi woman freed from Gaza after decade in captivity

Beirut, Lebanon Reuters A 21-year-old woman kidnapped by Islamic State militants in Iraq a decade ago was freed from Gaza this week in a secret operation months in the making that involved Israel, the United States and Iraq, officials said. The woman is a member of the ancient Yazidi religious minority mostly found in Iraq […]