Obama says surprised Russia held off so long on arms deal with Iran
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday he was surprised Russia had waited as long as it did to seal a deal to sell missile defense systems to Iran, given the tensions between Russia and the United States.
Merkel to tackle refugee surge as tensions in Germany grow
BERLIN (Reuters) – The German government will hold a crisis meeting to address a surge of refugees amid an upturn in attacks against shelters and complaints from local authorities about a lack of funding to house them, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokes…
Spanish government seeks distance from Rato affair
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s government on Friday sought to distance itself from a money-laundering investigation into a former heavyweight of the ruling People’s Party (PP), Rodrigo Rato, in an election year in which corruption has become a major theme….
Iraqi forces fight IS militants at gates of Anbar provincial capital
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi security forces fought Islamic State militants at the gates of the western city of Ramadi on Friday, and local authorities warned it was in danger of falling unless reinforcements arrived soon.
Draft Thai constitution complete, but strife seen ahead
BANGKOK (Reuters) – The generals who seized power in last year’s coup in Thailand would be granted immunity from prosecution and unelected individuals allowed to become prime minister under a preliminary draft of a new constitution seen on Friday.
Blast, gunfire heard in central Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan: Reuters witness
ERBIL (Reuters) – A blast and gunfire were heard in central Erbil on Friday, a Reuters witness said, as photographs on social media suggested the explosion happened near the U.S. consulate in the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.
At least 19 dead after minibus plunges into river in Tanzania
DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) – At least 19 people were killed on Friday after a minibus they were traveling in plunged into a river in southern Tanzania, police said.
Turkish man jailed for 12 years for Erdogan assassination attempt
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A man who attempted to assassinate Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan last year was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison on Friday by an Istanbul court, Turkish media reported.
South Africa seeks diplomatic support to defeat anti-immigrant unrest
PRETORIA (Reuters) – South Africa sought diplomatic support from countries across the continent on Friday to defeat the “demon” of anti-immigrant violence in which at least four people have been killed over the past fortnight.
Violent clashes erupt in Kashmir over arrest of separatist leaders
SRINAGAR (Reuters) – Violent clashes erupted between protesters and police in Kashmir on Friday, after days of unrest in the Himalayan region over the killing of a youth by the army and a crackdown by authorities on separatist leaders. Police fired tea…
