Increasing tensions in international community over who is to blame
Last week's seizure of two large oil fields in Kirkuk by Kurdish fighters from northern Iraq will help their largely autonomous region achieve energy self-sufficiency, and is being viewed as another step by Kurdistan's regional government toward independence. The oil facilities had been abandoned by Iraqi forces, who retreated under an advance by militants of the Islamic State. Henry Ridgwell reports for VOA from London.
After seizing Kirkuk and Bai Hassan oil fields, Kurds hope to be self-sufficient by end of year
The human rights group Amnesty International says dozens of people in eastern Ukraine have been abducted and tortured by armed pro-Russian separatist groups in recent months. Ukrainian government forces are also accused of abuses. Henry Ridgwell reports for VOA from London.
Amnesty International says both rebels and government forces are engaging in torture in eastern Ukraine
The Iraqi government has asked for international help, after Sunni militants from the group called "the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" seized radioactive material from a university. It comes days after the militants took over a disused chemical weapons factory. Henry Ridgwell reports for VOA that weapons experts are playing down any major threat from the seizures.
ISIL militants now in possession of up to 40 kilograms of uranium compounds from Mosul University but experts downplay threat
Israeli warplanes are continuing to pound targets in Gaza, as Hamas militants fire rockets deep into Israeli territory. The violence was sparked by the abduction and murder of three Israelis in Gaza last month, and the apparent revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager. Henry Ridgwell reports for VOA that the volatile situation across the Middle East region is serving to further complicate the long-standing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
Some analysts say escalating violence is sign of political weakness on both sides
Health ministers from across West Africa are attending an emergency conference in Ghana to discuss the regional outbreak of Ebola virus disease. The World Health Organization says the highly infectious disease has killed more than 400 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Henry Ridgwell reports for VOA from London.
Some experts say spread of disease is worst since 1970s, doctors say lack of understanding contributing to its rapid spread, along with porous borders between affected countries
Some experts say alliance, born at outset of Cold War, now in resurgence as new threats emerge around the globe
The role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] in the 21st century is in sharp focus now with the conflicts underway on the bloc's eastern and southern borders. As Henry Ridgwell reports from London, the alliance born at the outset of the Cold War is in resurgence as new threats emerge around the globe.
Iraq’s most senior Shia cleric issues call to arms to worshippers, to defend nation against an advance by Sunni militant group known as Islamic State of Iraq in the Levant
Iraq’s most senior Shia cleric has issued a call to arms to worshippers, to defend the country against an advance by the Sunni militant group known as the Islamic State of Iraq in the Levant, or ISIL. ISIL forces have captured large swaths of Iraq’s north and are just tens of kilometers from the capital. As Henry Ridgwell reports for VOA from London, fears are growing of a Sunni-Shia sectarian war.
Analysts say militants' advance has called into question future of Iraqi state
A conference in London -- organized in part by actress Angelina Jolie -- has launched a new international protocol on investigating sexual violence in war. Jolie is a special envoy for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. The conference goal is to tackle the culture of impunity that now surrounds rape and sexual violence in conflict. Henry Ridgwell reports for VOA from London.
Goal of conference - organized in part by actress Angelina Jolie - is to tackle culture of impunity that now surrounds rape and sexual violence in conflict
A surge in the number of migrants trying to reach the shores of Europe from North Africa in recent days is threatening the credibility of the European Union, Italian officials have warned. Tens of thousands of migrants are exploiting the instability in Libya, to set off on the perilous journey across the Mediterranean. Henry Ridgwell reports for VOA from London.
Tens of thousands of migrants from Syria, Libya, Eritrea are taking advantage of instability in Libya use it as exit point to set off on dangerous journey
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