U.S. ‘deeply concerned’ by arrest of Vietnam rights activist
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States said on Monday it was deeply concerned by the arrest of a Vietnamese human rights lawyer and called on Hanoi to release all prisoners of conscience.
Iran sees Israeli lobby behind U.S. visa waiver changes
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran said on Monday that Israeli lobbying was behind a new measure passed by the U.S. Congress that will prevent visa-free travel to the United States for people who have visited Iran or hold Iranian nationality.
Global migration chief ‘disturbed’ at dangers of xenophobia
NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The anti-migrant sentiment taking hold in a slew of nations facing an influx of refugees is disturbing, dangerous and puts people’s lives at risk, said the head of the International Organization for Migration (IO…
About 20 killed, including civilians, in air strikes on Iraq’s Mosul: witnesses
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – About 20 people, including at least 12 civilians, were killed on Monday in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, in two air strikes that destroyed houses believed to be used by Islamic State militants, six eyewitnesses and a medical sou…
Spain’s Rajoy reaches out to rivals in tough bid to govern
MADRID (Reuters) – Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Monday his center-right People’s Party (PP) would talk to like-minded rivals in a bid to form a government after an inconclusive election, but his chances look slim without support from le…
Hezbollah buries militant Qantar, vows to retaliate against Israel
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon’s Hezbollah group on Monday said it would retaliate for the killing of prominent militant Samir Qantar in an Israeli air strike in Syria, after giving him an elaborate funeral in Beirut of the kind reserved for its top comman…
EU prolongs economic sanctions on Russia until mid-2016
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union on Monday extended its economic sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine until the end of next July, drawing a swift rebuke from the Russian economy minister.
Argentina’s Macri asks for Venezuela opposition leaders’ freedom
ASUNCION (Reuters) – Argentine President Mauricio Macri started his second week in office by asking regional trade bloc Mercosur to back his appeal for the freedom of jailed opposition leaders in Venezuela.
Pope tells Vatican officials reform will go ahead with ‘firm resolve’
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis told Vatican administrators on Monday that he intended to press ahead “with firm resolve” to cleanse the Church’s bureaucracy which has been rocked by scandals and charges of greed and corruption.
Kurdish militants kill two Turkish soldiers, wound six in bomb attack: sources
ANKARA (Reuters) – Two Turkish soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb attack on their vehicle by Kurdish militants in southeastern Bitlis province, security sources said on Monday as security forces also battled militants elsewhere in the region.
