Colombia’s FARC leader halts rebel combat training
BOGOTA (Reuters) – The leader of Colombia’s Marxist FARC rebels ordered a halt to combat training of its fighters on Thursday, a move President Juan Manuel Santos said would help the push toward a complete ceasefire as the two sides negotiate peace.
Israeli couple killed in West Bank shooting: officials
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – An Israeli couple was shot dead while driving through the occupied West Bank late on Thursday and Israeli forces were searching the area for the suspected Palestinian attackers, authorities said.
India rejects Pakistan peace plan; calls for revival of terrorism talks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – India on Thursday rejected a four-point peace plan for Kashmir proposed by Pakistan but said talks among officials of both countries on terrorism that collapsed in August should be revived.
Spain shores up legal powers to prevent Catalan breakaway
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s parliament on Thursday approved measures giving the Constitutional Court powers to fine or suspend authorities that do not carry out its sentences, shoring up legal powers to deal with any bid for independence from Catalonia….
Cyprus president says window for deal exists
NICOSIA (Reuters) – A settlement to Cyprus’s long running division must address concerns of estranged Greek and Turkish Cypriots, the island’s president said on Thursday, striking a conciliatory tone amid peace talks on the ethnically-split island.
Bahrain withdraws ambassador from Iran after bomb-factory find
CAIRO (Reuters) – Bahrain said on Thursday it had recalled its ambassador to Iran, a day after it said security forces had discovered a large bomb-making factory and arrested a number of suspects linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Yemeni government, Saudi-led forces retake Red Sea strait
DUBAI (Reuters) – Loyalist Yemeni troops and Gulf Arab forces on Thursday seized control of the Arabian side of the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden from Houthi fighters, a spokesman for the Gulf-backed government …
South Africa’s new visa rules costs tourism industry $540 million in annual revenue
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s new visa rules will cost the tourism industry $540 million in yearly revenue, the head of an industry body said on Thursday.
Afghan refugees languish in Athens far from ‘promised land’
ATHENS (Reuters) – Afghan refugee Khodadad spends his days huddled with his family in an Athens square with little food, no money and dwindling hopes of ever reaching their desired destination: Germany.
Croatia court orders retrial of former PM Sanader after graft conviction
ZAGREB (Reuters) – Croatia’s Supreme Court ordered a retrial of former Croatian prime minister Ivo Sanader on Thursday and annulled his 2014 conviction for rigging public tenders and abusing state funds.
