Exclusive: U.S. considers ending program that lures Cuban doctors to defect
WASHINGTON/HAVANA (Reuters) – The U.S. government is considering putting an end to a program that encourages Cuban doctors and nurses on overseas assignments to defect, a senior aide to President Barack Obama said, in a gesture emblematic of improving …
Islamic State claims Libyan police center bombing
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a suicide truck bombing on a Libyan police training center on Thursday that killed at least 47 people, in the worst such attack since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Pressure grows on China to rein in North Korea; South launches propaganda barrage
SEOUL/BEIJING (Reuters) – South Korea unleashed an ear-splitting propaganda barrage across its border with North Korea on Friday in retaliation for its nuclear test, while the United States called on China to end “business as usual” with its ally.
Denmark, under fire, ups limit of valuables that refugees can keep
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – Denmark is amending a proposal to confiscate refugees’ possessions to pay for their stay by raising the amount they will be allowed to keep after coming under fire from the United Nations refugee agency over its immigration polic…
Syria rebels warns U.N. ‘pressure’ will prolong war
BEIRUT/PARIS (Reuters) – Syrian rebels said they were under international pressure to make concessions that would prolong the war, adding to their doubts about a U.N.-led drive for peace talks due to begin this month.
Tunisia’s ruling party faces splits as lawmakers quit
TUNIS (Reuters) – Sixteen Tunisian lawmakers from President Beji Caid Essebsi’s Nidaa Tounes party resigned on Friday over a dispute involving his son in a move that may allow Islamist rivals to become the main parliamentary power.
Saudi-led coalition, Yemen deny Iran embassy hit in Sanaa
DUBAI (Reuters) – The Saudi-led coalition and Yemen’s foreign ministry denied Iran’s accusation that Saudi warplanes had hit its embassy in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.
Syrians return to Damascus after Turkey introduces new air-travel visas
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey introduced visa requirements for Syrians arriving by air and sea on Friday, part of efforts to stem the flow of illegal migrants to Europe, forcing hundreds of Syrians to return to Damascus, officials said.
Poland tells EU to keep out of Polish affairs over media law
WARSAW (Reuters) – Poland dismissed European Commission concern on Friday that a new law on state-run media threatened media freedom, warning Brussels not to interfere in its affairs on the basis of “biased and politically-engaged” reports.
Congo opposition to hold rallies to raise pressure on Kabila
KINSHASA (Reuters) – Opposition parties in Democratic Republic of Congo said on Friday they would stage rallies to put pressure on President Joseph Kabila to step down when his mandate expires at the end of the year.
