Bulgaria approves pension change despite coalition rift
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria’s parliament on Friday approved making private pension contributions optional despite the junior coalition partners voting against a plan that has been criticized by the financial sector and brought Bulgarians out onto the st…
China arrests U.S. missionary near North Korea border
BEIJING (Reuters) – China on Friday arrested Korean American missionary who was being held near the country’s border with North Korea, signaling a toughening crackdown on Christian activists in the sensitive region.
Iraqi Kurds claim more territory after breaking siege of Sinjar
DOHUK, Iraq (Reuters) – Kurdish forces claimed to have seized more territory on Friday after breaking the siege of Sinjar mountain in what they called their biggest victory yet in their war against Islamic State.
EU leaders prepare for long confrontation with Russia
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union leaders warned Moscow they are ready to flex their combined muscle and “stay the course” in a long confrontation with Russia if President Vladimir Putin refuses to pull back from Ukraine.
Bouteflika’s mental ability intact, will continue in power: party chief
ALGIERS (Reuters) – President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s mental and cognitive faculties are intact and he will continue to govern Algeria, the ruling FLN party’s chairman said on Friday, in comments aimed at quashing rumours over the ageing leader’s health…
Exclusive: Iran’s support for Syria tested by oil price drop
AMMAN (Reuters) – Syrian businessmen and trade officials say they are worried the economic lifeline provided by Iran is under strain from plunging oil prices, despite public messages of support from Syria’s strongest regional ally.
Russia condemns new U.S. sanctions bill
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s Foreign ministry said on Friday it was deeply disappointed U.S. President Barack Obama had signed into law a new bill on sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine crisis and said the bill was “anti-Russian by its nature”.
Pakistan hangs two militants after Taliban school massacre
LAHORE (Reuters) – Pakistan executed two prominent militants on Friday, sources said, in a clear response to this week’s massacre of more than 130 children at a school.
Nine migrants drown off the coast of Morocco
MADRID (Reuters) – Moroccan rescue teams recovered the bodies of nine migrants who drowned off the coast of Tangier and rescued another 21 who were trying to reach Spain on a small craft, Spanish authorities said on Friday.
Civilian deaths in Afghanistan war reach new high in 2014: U.N.
KABUL (Reuters) – At least 3,188 Afghan civilians have been killed in the intensifying war with the Taliban in 2014, making it the deadliest year on record for non-combatants, the United Nations said on Friday.
