U.S. has ‘concerns’ about Turkey holding fair vote under state of emergency
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States said on Thursday it had concerns about Turkey’s ability to hold free and fair elections given the ongoing state of emergency, a day after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called for a snap vote on June 24.
Africa’s last absolute monarch renames Swaziland as ‘eSwatini’
MBABANE (Reuters) – Swaziland’s King Mswati III, Africa’s last absolute monarch, said on Thursday he was officially renaming the country as the Kingdom of eSwatini.
Netanyahu says at least six states considering moving embassies to Jerusalem
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that “at least half a dozen” countries were considering moving their embassies to Jerusalem following the U.S. decision to do so.
Malta court rejects bid to release men accused of killing journalist
VALLETTA (Reuters) – Three men accused of the murder of an anti-corruption journalist six months ago must stay in prison until their trial, a Maltese magistrate ruled on Thursday.
Cuba’s new president vows to defend legacy of Castro revolution
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba’s new president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, began his term on Thursday with a promise to defend the socialist revolution led by the Castro brothers since 1959, giving a sober speech that also emphasized the need to modernize the island’…
Iraqi warplanes attack Islamic State positions in Syria
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi warplanes attacked an Islamic State explosives factory and other positions inside Syria on Thursday, Baghdad’s military said, in a rare air assault across the border.
Italy’s 5-Star sees chance of government deal with the League
ROME (Reuters) – The leader of Italy’s anti-establishment 5-Star Movement said on Thursday he saw the possibility of forming a coalition with the far-right League, but he reiterated his refusal to work with its electoral allies.
North Korea seeks ‘complete denuclearization,’ Moon says; U.S. vows pressure
SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – North Korea has expressed its commitment to “complete denuclearization” of the Korean peninsula and has not attached conditions, South Korea’s president said on Thursday, but Washington remains wary and has vowed to maintai…
U.S. official calls on Myanmar to free journalists
DHAKA (Reuters) – U.S. envoy Sam Brownback called on Thursday for the release of journalists jailed in Myanmar while covering the plight of ethnic Rohingya Muslims forced to flee a military crackdown.
Mourning Arabs fly Palestinian flags as Israel marks Independence Day
ATLIT, Israel/BEIRUT (Reuters) – Waving Palestinian flags and wearing T-shirts proclaiming Jerusalem to be “the eternal capital of Palestine,” thousands of Israel’s Arab minority turned out on Thursday for a rally to commemorate a war lost 70 years ago…
