Saudi king aims for new Sunni bloc vs Iran and Islamic State
RIYADH/DOHA (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia is pushing for Sunni Muslim Middle East countries to set aside differences over political Islam and focus on what it sees as more urgent threats from Iran and Islamic State.
Exclusive: Scribbled note shows Nemtsov on trail of Russian deaths in Ukraine
MOSCOW (Reuters) – It may have been the last note Boris Nemtsov ever wrote, a hurried scrawl in blue pen on a plain white sheet of A4 paper.
Islamic State torches oil field near Tikrit as militia advance
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Islamic State militants have set fire to oil wells northeast of the city of Tikrit to obstruct an assault by Shi’ite militiamen and Iraqi soldiers trying to drive them from the Sunni Muslim city and surrounding towns, a witness said…
Ukraine’s coal pits: dangerous in peace time, deadlier in war
DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) – Ivan Lazarenko, one of those pulled out alive after an explosion at a mine near the frontline in rebel-held east Ukraine killed 33 workers, lay in hospital on Thursday, still unconscious and in bandages.
Burkina Faso government authorizes exhumation of Sankara’s remains
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) – Burkina Faso’s interim government has authorized the exhumation and testing of remains from the tomb of former president Thomas Sankara, a step toward a full investigation into his killing in a coup in 1987.
EU extends Yanukovich asset freeze, drops sanctions on some allies
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union said on Thursday it had extended a freeze on the assets of ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and 17 others suspected of stealing from the Ukrainian state.
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.
