EU unblocks visa-free travel for Ukraine, Georgia
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union will soon let Ukrainians and Georgians visit the bloc without needing a visa after diplomats and lawmakers struck a deal on Thursday to end an internal EU dispute that had been holding up the promised measures.
French ex-minister who fought tax evasion jailed for tax fraud
PARIS (Reuters) – A former minister who led a French government crackdown on tax evasion was sentenced to three years in jail on Thursday for hiding an offshore bank account of his own, in a scandal that deeply embarrassed President Francois Hollande.
Japan’s Abe may not be first sitting PM to visit Pearl Harbor: spokesman
TOKYO (Reuters) – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Pearl Harbor this month may not be the first by a sitting Japanese premier but will be the first with a U.S. president, his top government spokesman said on Thursday, trying to clarify confusion ov…
Mali’s foot-dragging traps peace mission in unending conflict
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Last week, the offices of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the desert city of Gao in northern Mali were flattened by a truck bomb. On Tuesday, just five suspected Islamist militants succeeded in freeing 93 inmates from a jail in the …
Iraq parliament speaker demands inquiry into deadly Qaim air strikes
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s parliament speaker called on Thursday for a government inquiry into air strikes on a western border town which killed around 60 people, mostly civilians.
Philippines’ Duterte says no plot to unseat vice president
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday vowed to retain the country’s vice president until her term ends, just days after she resigned from the cabinet, complaining of a “plot to steal” her position.
Thailand to resume peace talks with Muslim separatists in Malaysia
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand on Thursday said peace talks with Muslim separatists would resume in Malaysia next week after a round in September ended without progress.
Iran minister says in U.S. interest to stay committed to nuclear pact
TOKYO (Reuters) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday it was in the interest of the United States to remain committed to a multilateral nuclear treaty.
Israeli forces kill Palestinian brandishing knife: police
(Reuters) – Israeli paramilitary police officers in the occupied West Bank shot and killed a Palestinian who ran toward them brandishing a knife on Thursday, police said.
British foreign minister says Saudi and Iran stoking proxy wars in Middle East
LONDON (Reuters) – British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said that Saudi Arabia and Iran are stoking proxy wars across the Middle East while some politicians in the region are abusing Islam, the Guardian newspaper reported.
