Gulf states call for Yemen reconstruction meeting after peace deal
RIYADH (Reuters) – Gulf Arab states called on Thursday for an international reconstruction conference for Yemen after any peace deal to end the country’s civil war.
Egypt frees Israeli held for spying in prisoner swap
CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Egypt has freed an Israeli-Arab held in its jails for 15 years on espionage charges in exchange for the release of two Egyptians held in Israel, Egyptian and Israeli officials said on Thursday.
Russia can’t mend ties with U.S. while it backs sanctions: Lavrov
ROME (Reuters) – Russia wants to mend ties with the United States but cannot do so while Barack Obama’s administration backs economic sanctions against Moscow for its role in the conflict in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted on…
Seven Kurdish militants, one policeman killed in southeast Turkey
ANKARA (Reuters) – Seven Kurdish militants and a policeman have been killed in four days of fighting in a southeastern Turkish province that has been under curfew all week, security sources said.
Israel says Arrow 3 missile shield aces test, hitting target in space
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s upgraded Arrow ballistic missile shield passed a full interception test on Thursday, hitting a target in space meant to simulate the trajectory of the long-range weapons held by Iran, Syria and Hezbollah, the Defense Mini…
Poland hopes for agreement with UK on benefits for EU migrants
WARSAW (Reuters) – Poland’s Prime Minister Beata Szydlo said on Thursday that she hoped for an agreement with Britain over welfare benefits for European Union’s migrants to Britain which London wants to curb.
Arab coalition seizes Yemeni Red Sea islands from Houthis, Saleh
DUBAI (Reuters) – Arab coalition forces have captured a Yemeni Red Sea archipelago used by Iran-allied Houthis for storing and smuggling weapons into Yemen, the Saudi-led alliance and local fishermen said on Thursday.
Syrian fighters arrive in Idlib after Homs ceasefire deal: monitoring group
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Buses carrying Syrian rebel fighters and their families safely reached the northwestern city of Idlib overnight after withdrawing from Homs under a local ceasefire agreement, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Thursday.
Japan needs immigrants to boost population or could lose to China: minister
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan should craft an “integrated” immigration policy to cope with its shrinking population, or risk losing out to an ageing China in competition for vital foreign workers, the cabinet minister for administrative reform said on Thursd…
Hong Kong police seek two suspects after small blast outside assembly
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong police are investigating a small fire and explosion outside the city’s legislature hours after a contentious copyright bill, which opponents say will restrict freedom of expression, had been up for debate.
