Frenchman arrives in Dominican Republic for ‘air cocaine’ trial
SANTO DOMINGO (Reuters) – A Frenchman wanted in the Dominican Republic for helping to orchestrate a dramatic speedboat escape of two pilots convicted of cocaine trafficking arrived in the capital early on Friday to face trial in the Caribbean nation.
EU says accords with Morocco in line with international law
RABAT (Reuters) – The European Union’s senior diplomat said on Friday the union disagrees with a court ruling invalidating its farm trade deal with Morocco and the accords with Rabat do not violate international law.
Syria opposition says government mobilizes, casts doubt on talks
BEIRUT/PARIS/LONDON (Reuters) – The Syrian opposition said on Friday the government was mobilizing forces on many fronts despite an agreement to cease hostilities, and cast doubt on whether peace talks planned for next week would take place.
U.N. chief Ban wants to revive talks to end Western Sahara conflict
ALGIERS (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has said he will try to restart negotiations between Western Sahara’s Polisario independence movement and Morocco to resolve their conflict and allow Sahrawi refugees to return.
Peru bars presidential candidate, could disqualify another
LIMA (Reuters) – Peru barred a presidential hopeful from next month’s elections because of vote-buying allegations and also moved toward disqualifying likely runoff contender Julio Guzman in a surprise decision that could turn the race on its head.
Spain’s Socialist leader fails to become prime minister, new talks to start
MADRID (Reuters) – The leader of Spain’s Socialists Pedro Sanchez failed on Friday to win the confidence of parliament to become prime minister, opening a new round of talks between parties to break an over two-month deadlock after an inconclusive elec…
U.S. urges Russia to pressure Ukraine rebels over attacks
PARIS (Reuters) – Russia needs to use its influence on separatists in eastern Ukraine to halt attacks by pro-Russian rebels, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Reuters on Friday.
Latin America to tackle dual problems of hunger and obesity: U.N.
BOGOTA (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Latin American governments have pledged to work toward ending hunger within a decade while tackling an epidemic of rising obesity in the region – itself considered a form of malnutrition.
EU courts Turkey and outlines plan to save open borders
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union officials voiced guarded optimism on Friday that Turkey was starting to cooperate to stem the flow of migrants to Europe, as Brussels outlined a timetable for restoring open borders across the continent by the end of…
Congo court reduces activists’ sentences for anti-Kabila signs
KINSHASA (Reuters) – An appeals court on Friday reduced the prison sentences for six Congolese activists jailed for preparing banners demanding that President Joseph Kabila step down when his term ends this year, their lawyer said.
