Turkish sailors sentenced to 42 years for UK’s biggest cocaine haul
LONDON (Reuters) – Two Turkish sailors were jailed for a total of 42 years on Friday after their attempt to smuggle a huge haul of cocaine into Europe was thwarted, partly due to some swift international co-operation between Britain and Tanzania.
Merkel support slips as attacks put spotlight on migrant policy
BERLIN (Reuters) – Approval ratings for German Chancellor Angela Merkel fell sharply last month, a poll showed on Friday, in the second sign of a voter backlash to her refugee policy since Islamist militant attacks in Germany last month.
Support for Libyan unity government ‘crumbling’: U.N. envoy
ZURICH (Reuters) – Support for the U.N.-backed unity government in Libya is “crumbling” amid increased power outages and a weakening currency that is hitting crucial imports, the United Nations’ envoy to the embattled north African country told a newsp…
Ukraine sees no significant uptick in Donbass fighting as of now
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine has not seen any significant increase in fighting in the eastern Donbass region in the last few days, a Ukrainian military spokesman said on Friday, despite escalating tensions between Kiev and Moscow.
Philippines seeks formal talks with China amid South China Sea tension: Ramos
HONG KONG (Reuters) – The Philippines wants formal negotiations with China to explore pathways to peace and cooperation, the Southeast Asian nation’s special envoy, Fidel Ramos, said on Friday, after a meeting with former Chinese deputy foreign ministe…
Putin gets new right hand man as veteran chief of staff steps down
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday appointed a low-profile former diplomat his new Kremlin chief of staff, one of the most powerful jobs in Russia, saying his long-time ally, Sergei Ivanov, had asked to step down.
Philippines says taking seriously ‘Islamic State threat’ against Miss Universe show
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines military said on Friday it was taking seriously what it believed was a call by Islamic State (IS) militants for an attack on the Miss Universe contest being held in the country next year.
Turkey prosecutors seek five years in jail for pro-Kurdish party leader: media
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish prosecutors are seeking five-year jail sentences for head of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas, and another pro-Kurdish lawmaker for spreading “terrorist group propaganda”, Dogan news agency said on F…
Two injured in shooting near shopping center in Zaragoza, Spain: media
MADRID (Reuters) – Two people were seriously injured in a shooting near a shopping center in the northeastern Spanish city of Zaragoza, local media reported on Friday.
Turkey’s role in U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State will see no interruption: minister
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s role in the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State will continue without interruption following last month’s failed military coup, Defence Minister Fikri Isik said in an interview with the Haberturk television channel on…
