‘Frustrated’ U.N. Syria envoy says wake-up call needed on aid access
GENEVA (Reuters) – The U.N. envoy for Syria said on Thursday he was frustrated that there was little improvement in aid deliveries to besieged areas, saying it was a “wake-up call” that had to be heeded.
Slovak PM Fico in hospital with chest pain, cancels Czech visit
BRATISLAVA (Reuters) – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will stay in hospital for observation until Friday morning after undergoing an unscheduled heart examination following chest pains, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Exclusive: Syrian opposition says will join with government in transitional body, but not with Assad himself
GENEVA (Reuters) – Syria’s main opposition group is willing to share membership of a transitional governing body with current members of the government of President Bashar al-Assad, but not with Assad himself, the group’s spokesman said in Geneva.
Turkish opposition backs immunity bill that Kurdish MPs say targets them
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s main opposition party will support a government bid to lift the immunity from prosecution currently enjoyed by all members of parliament, a draft law that Kurdish lawmakers say is targeted against them.
Belgian air traffic controllers return to work
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Belgian air traffic controllers returned fully to work on Thursday, two days after a dispute over new working conditions led many to call in sick, while talks with the government to find a solution continued.
Congo MPs want court ruling on Kabila’s future if polls not held
KINSHASA (Reuters) – Supporters of Congo President Joseph Kabila want the country’s highest court to rule on whether he would stay in power if his government fails to hold election due in November, a senior ally said on Thursday.
Learn German or lose benefits, Berlin tells migrants in new law
BERLIN (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition government agreed on Thursday to require migrants granted residence rights to show willingness to integrate by learning German and seeking work or see their benefits cut.
Turkey EU minister says rejects European Parliament report
VIENNA (Reuters) – Turkey rejects a European Parliament progress report released on Thursday, Ankara’s European Union Affairs Minister said, citing a reference in the report to the disputed 1915 massacre of Armenians.
Ukraine approves new PM in bid to end reform deadlock
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s parliament approved presidential ally Volodymyr Groysman as prime minister on Thursday in the biggest political shakeup since a 2014 uprising brought in a pro-Western leadership.
Exclusive: Syrian HNC offers to share transition equally with government
GENEVA (Reuters) – Syria’s main opposition group is willing to share membership of a transitional governing body with current members of the government of President Bashar al-Assad, but not Assad himself, the group’s spokesman told Reuters in Geneva.
