North Korea steps up threats over drills; U.S. Congress advances sanctions bill
SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – North Korea ramped up threatening language against the United States on Friday, days before the start of annual joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises, while a bill to stiffen sanctions against Pyongyang advanced in the…
Rwandan singer jailed for plot to kill president
KIGALI (Reuters) – A popular singer in Rwanda known for his renditions of the national anthem was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday after being found guilty of plotting to kill Rwandan President Paul Kagame and other senior officials.
Vatican condemns leaking of documents showing power struggle
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The Vatican on Friday condemned the leaking of documents that according to a media report show a power struggle in the Holy See over economic reforms and excessive expenses by the cardinal charged with carrying them out.
Four long-held Thai hostages released by Somali pirates
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Somali pirates have freed four Thai nationals seized from a fishing vessel at sea in 2010, ending the longest-running hostage drama in the Horn of Africa state, the United Nations said on Friday.
Spain arrests eight accused of joining pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain on Friday arrested eight citizens who recently returned from fighting alongside pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine, the first such arrest in the European Union of foreign citizens involved in the conflict, the Interior Ministry said…
Islamic State under pressure as Kurds seize Syrian town
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Kurdish forces dealt a blow to Islamic State by capturing an important town on Friday in the latest stage of a powerful offensive in northeast Syria, a Kurdish militia spokesman said.
UAE to reopen embassy in Yemen’s south, backing Hadi
DUBAI (Reuters) – The United Arab Emirates will reopen its Yemeni embassy in the southern port city of Aden, the state news agency WAM said on Friday, where Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi has set up a seat of power since being driven from the …
Life sentence for Rwanda’s genocide-era justice minister upheld
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Rwanda’s high court on Friday upheld the life sentence of the s genocide-era justice minister, who was convicted six years ago for her role in the 1994 slaughter that killed 800,000 people.
Syria expels three United Nations aid workers: sources
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian government has recently expelled three United Nations staff, a move which will harm attempts to deliver desperately needed relief around the country, aid sources told Reuters on Friday.
Turkey police detain suspect claiming to have bomb outside U.S. consulate
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish police detained a suspect outside the U.S. consulate in Istanbul who claimed to have a bomb, the consulate said on Friday.
