Russian spymaster-statesman Primakov dies at 85
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov, who helped restore stability after an economic crash in 1998 and shifted the focus of foreign policy away from the West, has died at the age of 85 after a long illness.
U.N. urges EU states to make ‘concrete commitments’ on refugees
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations refugee agency said on Friday that the European Union’s decisions on the migrant crisis would need to be followed by “concrete commitments” from member states to ease the pressure on Italy and Greece.
Vatican signs first treaty with ‘State of Palestine’, Israel angered
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The Vatican signed its first treaty with the “State of Palestine” on Friday, calling for “courageous decisions” to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and backing a two-state solution.
Turkey summons Israeli diplomat after journalists, NGO workers refused entry
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday it summoned the highest-ranking Israeli diplomat in Ankara to explain why a group of Turkish journalists and civil society workers were refused entry at Ben Gurion Airport.
North Korea to foreigners: don’t bring in subversive media, porn
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea has warned foreigners living in Pyongyang not to share outside media on memory sticks with its citizens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a note, cracking down on what the isolated country called “undesirable conten…
U.N. mediator to visit Kuwait, Riyadh in search of Yemen deal
GENEVA (Reuters) – A United Nations envoy will hold talks in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in the coming days on a draft peace proposal for Yemen with the aim of reaching a “preliminary agreement” with Houthi fighters, a U.N. spokesman said on Friday.
Thai police arrest 14 students in anti-junta protest
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Police in Thailand on Friday arrested 14 students who had been protesting against the ruling junta, in defiance of a ban on public gatherings.
After China’s Glastonbury complaint, UK source says it is Dalai Lama’s call
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – After China complained about a Glastonbury Festival invite for the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, a British government source said on Friday his appearance was a decision for festival-goers and for the Dalai Lama.
Lebanese army says kills militants trying to infiltrate border town
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanese soldiers killed two gunmen during a clash with militants who were trying to infiltrate the town of Arsal from the nearby border zone with Syria, the army said on Friday.
U.S. criticizes Myanmar military veto after law change fails
YANGON (Reuters) – The United States said on Friday that an effective legislative veto held by Myanmar’s military was undemocratic and reiterated calls for changes to the constitution, a day after lawmakers from the armed forces bloc rejected any signi…
