U.S. okays sale of eight Lockheed F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan: Pentagon
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. government on Friday said it had approved the sale to Pakistan of eight F-16 fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp, radars and other equipment, in a deal valued at $699 million.
Saudi warns U.N., aid workers to leave areas near rebel bases in Yemen
(This February 11 story was corrected to fix headline and first paragraph to clarify what areas U.N. and aid groups are being asked to leave)
Iraq says moving troops, preparing offensive to retake Mosul
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s military said on Friday it was mobilizing troops to prepare for an offensive the government has pledged to launch this year to retake the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State.
After short, tense meeting, Spain’s Socialist head rejects backing Rajoy
MADRID (Reuters) – The head of Spain’s Socialist party ruled out on Friday supporting acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy for a second term, support that could have ended the country’s political stalemate.
Iran says ready to put rivalries aside with Saudi Arabia
MUNICH (Reuters) – Iran and Saudi Arabia must overcome strained relations and work for stability in Syria and the Middle East, Iran’s foreign minister said on Friday, a day after Syrian peace talks brought the rivals to the same table for the first tim…
Israel says has mended fences with EU in Netanyahu-Mogherini call
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel said on Friday it had resolved its differences with the European Union after weeks of diplomatic tension following an EU decision not to allow goods produced in settlements in the occupied West Bank to be labeled “Made in I…
Thousands of Iraqi refugees leave Finland voluntarily
HELSINKI (Reuters) – Thousands of Iraqi refugees who arrived in Finland last year have decided to cancel their asylum applications and to return home voluntarily, citing family issues and disappointment with life in the frosty Nordic country.
Spain’s Socialist leader hopes for confidence vote at beginning of March
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez said on Friday he hopes to have reached an agreement with other political parties on a coalition government by the end of the month and hold a parliamentary confidence vote at the beginning of M…
Interpol refuses Russian request for Khodorkovsky search notice: TASS
MOSCOW (Reuters) – International police organization Interpol has refused a Russian request for a search notice on former tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Russia’s TASS news agency reported on Friday.
Global court judges exclude testimony in boost for Kenya’s Ruto
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Judges at the International Criminal Court dealt a major blow to prosecutors trying to convict Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto over post-election violence by ruling on Friday that some testimony against him was inadmissible.
