Russia says to boost military presence in Crimea: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia will boost its military presence in Crimea given NATO’s plans to expand in eastern Europe, Alexander Grushko, Russia’s envoy to the military alliance, was quoted as saying on Friday by RIA news agency.
India, China leaders try hand at “selfie” diplomacy
BEIJING (Reuters) – In a rare show of everyman charm from one of China’s most elite politicians, Premier Li Keqiang appeared in a grinning selfie with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.
South Korea spy agency under scrutiny after reporting Pyongyang execution
SEOUL (Reuters) – The South Korean spy agency’s assertion that North Korea purged its defense chief and executed him with anti-aircraft fire is one of its boldest claims ever, and, given the agency’s chequered history, has come under growing scrutiny.
Bomb threat halts final of German TV model show
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – German police said on Friday they had opened an investigation into an unidentified female who called in a bomb threat during the live final of a modeling competition, prompting broadcaster ProSieben to stop the show.
At least 28 children killed by lead poisoning in Nigeria
ABUJA (Reuters) – At least 28 children under the age of five have been killed by drinking stream water contaminated with lead in Nigeria’s Niger state, health minister Fidelis Nwankwo said, and officials blamed the contamination on illegal mining.
Prominent China rights lawyer indicted in high-profile case
BEIJING (Reuters) – One of China’s most outspoken human rights lawyers has been charged with inciting ethnic hatred, a Beijing prosecutor said on Friday, the latest development in a case that has drawn censure from the West.
Pakistan officials question group’s claim of Islamic State funding
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) – The militant group that said it was behind Wednesday’s massacre of 45 commuters in Karachi is a dangerous outfit with ties to Pakistan’s Taliban, but intelligence sources voiced doubts about claims it had received…
Bosnia indicts 12 for fighting in Syria, Iraq
SARAJEVO (Reuters) – Bosnia has indicted 12 people for forming a terrorist group and traveling to Syria and Iraq to fight for the Islamic State, the state prosecutor’s office said on Friday.
U.N. seeks speedier inspections on Yemen-bound goods to import fuel
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Yemen urged a Saudi-led coalition to ease its inspection regime to allow vital commercial and humanitarian goods into the country.
Scuffles break out at trial of Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn
ATHENS (Reuters) – The trial of Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn party was interrupted on Friday when a group of people shouting “fascists!” and throwing bottles tried to barge into the courtroom, police and court officials said.
