Russian opposition office raided as Putin talks to nation
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian security services raided the Moscow office of the opposition Open Russia group on Thursday, activists said, just as President Vladimir Putin held his annual televised phone-in.
U.S., allies focus on Iraq in latest air strikes on Islamic State: statement
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and its allies staged 20 air strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq in a period from Wednesday to Thursday morning, the Combined Joint Task Force said in a statement.
Putin says S-300 sale to Iran prompted by progress in nuclear talks
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Iran’s drive to find a solution in talks over its disputed nuclear program had spurred his decision to renew a contract to deliver S-300 missile defense systems to Tehran.
No breakthrough between Iran and U.N. nuclear watchdog
VIENNA (Reuters) – The U.N. nuclear watchdog said it had a “constructive exchange” with Iran this week but there was no sign of a breakthrough on aspects of its nuclear program that the agency says Tehran has failed to fully address.
Russia blames U.S. for security crises and turmoil in Ukraine
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Top Russian officials accused the United States on Thursday of seeking political and military dominance and sought to put blame on the West for international security crises, including the conflict in east Ukraine.
Italy’s migrant crisis intensifies with murder arrests, drownings
GENEVA/PALERMO, Italy (Reuters) – Italian police arrested 15 African men suspected of throwing about a dozen Christians from a migrant boat in the Mediterranean on Thursday, as the crisis off southern Italy intensified.
U.S. steps up pressure on Macedonia over allegations of abuse of power
SKOPJE (Reuters) – The United States called on Macedonia on Thursday to investigate possible evidence of “abuse of power” brought to light by leaked wire-taps that the opposition says demonstrate extensive government control over judges, journalists an…
Anti-immigrant unrest hits South Africa as Zuma condemns violence
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African police fired rubber bullets and tear gas on Thursday to disperse anti-immigrant protesters in Johannesburg, as the country’s president called for a halt to a wave of violence directed at foreigners.
WikiLeaks’ Assange agrees to London questioning: lawyer
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Julian Assange has agreed to be questioned at Ecuador’s London embassy over allegations of sexual assault, his Swedish lawyer said on Thursday.
Dutch shift focus in MH17 crash to investigating culprits
THE HAGUE (Reuters) – The Dutch government said on Thursday that, with nearly all of the victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 identified, efforts had shifted to finding those responsible for shooting the plane down as it crossed Ukraine last July.
