Turkey demands U.S. expel Kurdish militia from anti-Islamic State force
BRUSSELS/ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey said on Thursday it had demanded the United States expel a Kurdish militia from forces it backs in Syria, setting up the visiting U.S. secretary of state for tough talks on an issue that has strained ties between the …
Moscow says has evidence of Western meddling in Russian election
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Moscow has tangible evidence of “the destructive interference of some Western countries” in Russia’s domestic affairs ahead of a presidential election next month, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told a briefing on Thursday.
Vatican denies ex-pope Benedict suffering from debilitating disease
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The Vatican on Thursday denied a German magazine report that former Pope Benedict was suffering from a paralyzing disease of the nervous system.
Wily negotiator Ramaphosa takes South Africa’s top job
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – After weeks of tortuous discussions to convince scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma to step down as head of state, South Africa’s great negotiator, Cyril Ramaphosa, has fulfilled his long-held ambition to lead the country.
Tillerson says growing Hezbollah arsenal a threat to Lebanon
BEIRUT (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Thursday Hezbollah’s growing arsenal and its involvement in regional conflicts threatened the security of Lebanon.
Ramaphosa elected president of South Africa
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Cyril Ramaphosa was elected as South Africa’s president in a parliamentary vote on Thursday after scandal-ridden Jacob Zuma reluctantly resigned on orders from the ruling African National Congress.
Ethiopia’s PM offers resignation to help reforms after mass unrest
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said on Thursday he had submitted his resignation as both premier and the chairman of the ruling coalition in an effort to facilitate reforms following years of widespread unrest.
Russia says five of its civilians may have been killed in Syria by U.S.-led forces
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Five Russian citizens may have been killed in Syria in clashes with U.S.-led coalition forces this month, but they were not Russian military personnel, a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman told a news briefing on Thursday.
Venezuela’s Maduro orders reopening of Miami consulate before election
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has ordered the reopening of the country’s consulate in Miami, home to a sizeable anti-government community, before presidential elections on April 22, reversing a move by his predecessor Hugo Ch…
At U.S. urging, NATO agrees training mission in Iraq
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO defense ministers agreed on Thursday a bigger ‘train-and-advise’ mission in Iraq after a U.S. call for the alliance to help stabilize the country after three years of war against Islamic State.
