news roundup

Norway's Conscription Becomes Gender Neutral

The Norwegian Parliament on Tuesday adopted necessary amendments to extend mandatory military service to women. It's the first peacetime European or NATO country to extend compulsory conscription to all citizens, regardless of gender.

Families torn apart as Western girls join Islamist cause

PARIS (Reuters) - Foad, a French truck driver of Moroccan origin, traveled alone through Syria to rescue his 15-year-old sister from an Islamist group she said was holding her captive. But when they finally stood face to face, in tears, she would not leave.