Dutch PM agrees to change health bill to avoid government collapse
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a letter to parliament late Thursday that his party would revise a health bill that was blocked in the senate, potentially staving off the collapse of his fragile center-right coalition gove…
Tribal chief of Mali’s Tuaregs dies amid stalled peace talks
DAKAR (Reuters) – The chief of the most powerful Tuareg tribe in northern Mali died on Thursday, signaling a change of leadership as Tuareg separatists are locked in peace talks with the government.
EU needs united approach to Russia for a solution to Ukraine conflict
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union must be united in its approach toward Russia if it wants to find a solution to the conflict in Ukraine, the chairman of EU leaders Donald Tusk said on Thursday.
New broom ends EU summit a day early
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – In a striking symbol of changed leadership, European Union leaders wrapped up their last summit of the year a day early after agreeing to launch an investment fund and maintain sanctions on Russia over Ukraine.
Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnap 172 women, children in Nigeria
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnapped 172 women and children and killed 35 other people on Sunday during a raid on the northeast Nigerian village of Gumsuri, residents said on Thursday.
At U.N., Iran urged to show more flexibility in nuclear talks
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Iran has not demonstrated sufficient flexibility in nuclear talks with six world powers aimed at ending a 12-year standoff with the Islamic Republic over its atomic ambitions, France and Britain said on Thursday.
Fighting in Libya’s Benghazi kills 25 in eight days: medics
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – At least 25 people have been killed and 103 wounded in the past eight days of fighting between pro-government forces and Islamist groups in Libya’s second city Benghazi, medics said on Thursday.
U.S.-led air strikes focus on Islamic State Kobani in Syria
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S.-led air strikes in Syria focused on the contested city of Kobani near the Turkish border on Thursday, with six air strikes that destroyed seven Islamic State fighting positions, a building and a tactical unit, the U.S. milit…
Despite billions in aid, U.S. unable to get Pakistan to confront militants
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Since 2001 the United States has tried virtually every strategy available to persuade Pakistan’s army to take the threat of militancy more seriously, but 12 years and $28 billion in aid later, all the American approaches are wide…
Thailand welcomes China’s Li as U.S. ties cool over coup
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will be the most high-profile foreign leader to visit Thailand on Friday since a May coup, signaling, Thailand says, its return to normal and a boost for trade in a region where the United States and China…
