Kerry tries to reassure Iran’s Gulf rivals on nuclear talks
RIYADH (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told Gulf Arab states on Thursday Washington was not seeking a “grand bargain” with Iran, and said a nuclear deal with Tehran would be in their interests.
More than quotas needed to keep number of women MPs rising: IPU
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The proportion of women MPs in parliaments around the world has doubled in the past 20 years, but a “significant brake” in progress in 2014 means new ways of increasing their number must be found, the Inter-Parliam…
Colombians more optimistic about peace deal with Marxist rebels: poll
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombians are becoming more optimistic about peace negotiations with Marxist rebels although most oppose possible impunity for war crimes, according to a Gallup poll released on Thursday.
Bosnian security chief convicted of inaction against protests
SARAJEVO (Reuters) – Bosnia’s national security chief was handed a one-year suspended prison sentence on Thursday for refusing to deploy his forces to protect state institutions during unprecedented civil unrest last year.
Egypt puts over 200 on trial, accused of militant activity
CAIRO (Reuters) – An Egyptian court opened the trial on Thursday of 213 suspected militants, including members of the army and police, on charges of joining Egypt’s most active militant group and attempting to assassinate the interior minister, judicia…
British teacher jailed for trying to join Islamic State in Syria
LONDON (Reuters) – A science teacher from northern England who supported Islamic State fighters in Syria before trying to go there himself has been jailed for six years.
Finland should not exclude NATO application in next four years: PM
HELSINKI (Reuters) – Prime Minister Alexander Stubb said on Thursday that Finland, which shares a 1,300 Km (800 mile) border with Russia, should not exclude the possibility of seeking membership of NATO over the next four years.
Bangladesh Islamist appeals against death sentence for war crimes
DHAKA (Reuters) – A senior leader of Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party appealed to the Supreme Court on Thursday to scrap the death penalty passed on him for genocide and torture of civilians during the country’s 1971 war.
Sri Lanka cabinet suspends Chinese project on approval issue
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Sri Lanka suspended a $1.5-billion Chinese luxury real estate project in Colombo on Thursday until it obtains required government approvals, a move that risks a diplomatic row with its biggest foreign investor.
Israel resuming some Gaza produce imports halted in 2007
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel will start buying some fruit and vegetables from the Gaza Strip next week, a partial resumption of imports halted when the Islamist group Hamas took over the Palestinian territory in 2007, Israeli officials said on Thursday…
