Two policemen were shot early Thursday in themidwestern American city of Ferguson, Missouri. Theshooting happened a few hours after the city’s policechief resigned. A federal investigation had found hisdepartment treats people of color unfairly.
One officer was shot in his upper body. The other wasshot in the face. Both are expected to recover. Theshootings took place during a protest at the Fergusonpolice station.
Officers say they believe the shots came from a gun fired from about 120meters away. Police searched a house and have detained three people inconnection with the shooting investigation.
The Justice Department investigated the Ferguson police departmentfollowing a controversial police shooting seven months ago.
Seven months ago, white police officer Darren Wilson shot unarmed blackteenager Michael Brown. Many people protested the shooting.
Iraqi forces continue offensive in Tikrit
Iraqi military and volunteer fighters are moving toward the center of the IslamicState-controlled town of Tikrit. Attacks and bombings by the terrorist grouphave slowed the military offensive.
The operation is now in its second week. Iraqi commanders say the operationis moving gradually and purposely.
Police officers react to the shooting of an officer outside the police headquarters in Ferguson, Missouri March 12, 2015. |
Wednesday night, the leader of one of the largest Shi’ite militias said themilitants in Tikrit “have two choices -- surrender or death.”
Thousands of Iraqi troops joined with volunteer militias early last week to try totake control of the city from the Islamic State fighters.
Somalis say a drone has attacked al-Shabab
Reports from Somalia say the U.S. has carried out a drone strike against avehicle carrying leaders of the militant group al-Shabab.
Somali officials and individuals close to al-Shabab told VOA’s Somali Servicethat the drone attacked a car Thursday night outside the southwestern town ofBardhere.
The targeted car reportedly belongs to Adan Garaar, a top member of al-Shabab’s security service, the Amniyat. Sources tell VOA the vehicle wasdestroyed in the drone strike. It was not immediately clear whether AdanGaraar was killed.
Adan Garaar is believed to have links to the gunmen who attacked theWestgate Mall in the Kenyan capital Nairobi in 2013. More than 60 people werekilled in that attack.
Earlier, al-Shabab claimed responsibility for an attack that targeted a topSomali political leader and left at least eight people dead.
Iranian leaders unhappy about a letter from U.S. Senators
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has criticized a letter sent by 47 U.S. Republican senators to Tehran. The lawmakers wrote about currenttalks on Iran’s nuclear program.
The Iranian leader said the letter represented, in his words, “disintegration”in U.S. politics.
The United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany are seekingguarantees that the Iranian nuclear program is peaceful, in exchange forcancelling economic sanctions. Iran has repeatedly said it is not trying to buildnuclear weapons.