EU shows little appetite for more Russia sanctions
RIGA (Reuters) – EU foreign ministers showed little appetite on Saturday for stepping up pressure on Russia over Ukraine, preferring to give a fragile ceasefire a chance before deciding whether to apply more sanctions or even to extend existing ones.
EU considers bigger naval presence to tackle Libya security issues
RIGA (Reuters) – The European Union is discussing with the United Nations ways to bolster security in Libya, including a naval presence, if U.N.-backed peace talks lead to a settlement, the EU’s foreign policy head said on Saturday.
Afghan leader says won’t compromise social freedoms in peace efforts
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Saturday he would not compromise on the social freedoms introduced since the Taliban’s 2001 ouster as his government works towards opening peace talks with the insurgents to end Afghanistan’s long…
China city boss warns against Islamic head coverings in Xinjiang
BEIJING (Reuters) – Veils and head coverings represent a cultural reverse in western China’s Xinjiang region, said the top Communist Party boss in Kashgar, the city the government describes as the “frontline” in its battle against religious extremism.
UK charities cease funding Cage, group linked to ‘Jihadi John’
LONDON (Reuters) – Two high-profile British charities have stopped funding Cage, a Muslim campaign group that has drawn criticism over statements about the Islamic State militant known as “Jihadi John”, the regulator of British charities has announced….
China pollution film disappears from local video sites
BEIJING (Reuters) – A popular documentary on China’s struggles with pollution was inaccessible on the country’s video sharing websites on Saturday, sparking concern from Chinese Internet users that it had been censored within a week of its launch.
Egypt carries out first execution of Mursi supporter
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt executed an Islamist on Saturday for a murder committed during riots in mid-2013, the first death sentence carried out against a supporter of the banned Muslim Brotherhood under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
U.S. missionary kidnapped in Nigeria freed, church says
SEATTLE (Reuters) – An American missionary who was kidnapped in central Nigeria in February was safely released to authorities and church leaders on Friday, her Free Methodist Church said in a statement.
Philippine army kills 14 rebels, offensive to push into next week
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine soldiers killed 14 Muslim guerrillas in an overnight battle to capture a rebel position in the south, an army spokesman said on Saturday, as the number of displaced from the military offensive rose to 80,000.
Top Brazilian politicians investigated in Petrobras scandal
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s Supreme Court will investigate the speakers of both houses of Congress and 32 other sitting politicians in connection with a multibillion-dollar kickback scheme at state-controlled oil company Petrobras.
