Netanyahu row casts doubt on Obama pledge to ‘have Israel’s back’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama, who once famously said he would “always have Israel’s back,” may be rethinking that promise as aides begin weighing options in response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pre-election disavowal of a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict.
Russia wants to stop U.N. staff benefits for same-sex couples
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Russia has asked a United Nations General Assembly committee to vote on Tuesday on its proposal to stop the world body extending staff benefits to all same-sex couples, diplomats said.
U.S. fears Islamic State is making serious inroads in Libya
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is increasingly concerned about the growing presence and influence of the Syria-based Islamic State movement in Libya, according to U.S. officials and a State Department report.
Russia says sanctions ‘destructive’, will act in own interests
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia described “sanctions rhetoric” as destructive on Friday and said it would do what is in its national interests after European Union leaders kept economic sanctions in place over the Ukraine crisis.
U.N. Libya envoy says renewed fighting threatens talks
SKHIRAT, Morocco/TRIPOLI (Reuters) – A renewed military offensive in Libya threatens international efforts to reach agreement in the next few days on a unity government and lasting ceasefire in the warring oil producing state, a U.N. envoy said on Frid…
Canadian jury finds two men guilty in plot to derail train
TORONTO (Reuters) – A Canadian jury on Friday found two men guilty of planning to derail a passenger train traveling between Canada and the United States in a plot intended to instill fear and force the two countries to withdraw troops from Muslim land…
Deadlocked Iran nuclear talks break off, to resume next week
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) – Iran and six world powers suspended negotiations on a nuclear agreement and were set to meet again next week to break a deadlock over sensitive atomic research and lifting of sanctions, Western officials said on Friday…
At least 15 kidnapped by unknown gunmen in eastern Cameroon
YAOUNDE (Reuters) – At least 15 people, including a mayor and local government officials, were kidnapped by unknown gunmen in eastern Cameroon near the restive border region with Central African Republic, authorities said on Friday.
U.S. House Speaker Boehner to visit Israel
JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – John Boehner, Republican speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives at the center of a political furor in Washington over relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will visit Israel in coming weeks, hi…
Italy wants North African countries to rescue migrants at sea
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Italy wants Egypt and Tunisia to play a role in rescuing stricken migrant vessels in the Mediterranean, a government planning paper showed, so that survivors could be taken back to African instead of European ports.
