Russian court refuses to rehabilitate Soviet-era commissar Yagoda
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s highest court on Thursday refused to legally rehabilitate Genrikh Yagoda, the head of the Soviet-era NKVD secret police who oversaw Stalinist purges in the 1930s and set up the GULAG forced labor camps.
Belgian politician found dead in canal after rape charge
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – One of Belgium’s best known politicians, a former party leader nicknamed “Steve Stunt” for his populist gestures, was found drowned in a canal on Thursday, hours after media reported he would stand trial for rape.
Strike threat at LATAM Airlines’ Chile unit pushed back
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – The union representing cabin crews at LATAM Airlines’ Chilean unit have asked for government mediation in contract talks, pushing back the threat of a strike at the region’s largest carrier to late next week from as early as Monday…
How technology eased Buhari’s path to power in Nigeria
ABUJA (Reuters) – Technology played a decisive role in helping Muhammadu Buhari become the first Nigerian to oust a sitting president at the ballot box, from social media campaigning to biometric machines preventing the widespread rigging that marred p…
Niger counter-insurgency drive worsens poverty, hunger: aid agencies
DAKAR (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Tough counter-insurgency action in Niger after cross-border attacks by Boko Haram Islamist militants from Nigeria is worsening hunger and poverty in the arid southeast of the country, aid agencies said on Thursday.
Agreement reached on framework for final Iran nuclear deal: Germany
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) – Agreement has been reached on a framework for a final deal on Iran’s nuclear program, Germany’s foreign ministry said on Twitter on Thursday.
Government troops attacked at base in northern Mali
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Three attackers were killed in a firefight and two others captured after an assault on a Malian army base in Boulkessi on Wednesday, Malian officials said.
Pope Francis to visit Colombia, urges support for peace process
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Pope Francis will visit Colombia, the Vatican said on Thursday, as the pontiff urged Colombians to work for peace as the country conducts talks with Marxist rebels to end 50 years of war.
Bahrain arrests activist Rajab over tweets: ministry
DUBAI (Reuters) – Bahrain police arrested prominent democracy activist Nabeel Rajab on Thursday for comments he made on his Twitter account seen as “harmful” to civil peace, the kingdom’s interior ministry said.
Venezuelan ‘resistance’ movement struggles to bruise Maduro
VALENCIA/MERIDA, Venezuela (Reuters) – Housewives stash bottles and fuel for Molotov cocktails. Activists run a network of safe houses. Masked youths block roads. A rifle-wielding dissident general makes a call to arms.
