Ukraine ceasefire must be observed, Russia’s Lavrov tells Kerry
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday it was essential that both Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists fully observed a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine clinched nearly a month ag…
UK’s Cameron threatens to ignore European Court of Human Rights rulings
LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative Party toughened its stance on Europe on Friday, announcing a pre-election plan to quit the European Court of Human Rights unless it agrees that Britain’s parliament has the final say over i…
Curfews on Syrian refugees in Lebanon fuel hostility: rights group
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Curfews imposed on Syrian refugees in villages across Lebanon are fuelling a climate of discrimination and hostility against new arrivals, a human rights group said in a statement on Friday.
Kenyans protesting over jobs end highway blockade from Mombasa port
MOMBASA Kenya (Reuters) – Protesters in Kenya ended a blockade on Friday that had disrupted the transport of cargo by truckers on the main trade artery from Mombasa port to Nairobi and the wider east African region.
Dutch Catholic school cancels trip to Paris over fear of militant attack
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – A Dutch Catholic school called off a one-day trip to Paris for 400 students on Friday because of fears of an attack by Islamic militants in the French capital’s metro, although French officials have cited no evidence of a specific…
Special report: Why Brazil’s would-be first black president trails among blacks
SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazilians could make history this month by electing Marina Silva, the daughter of impoverished rubber tappers from the Amazon, as their first black president.
Merkel draws lessons from peaceful German unity 24 years ago
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s path to reunification shows that lessons learned from its peaceful fight for freedom can be used to resolve many of the problems facing Europe and the world today, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday.
New settlements plan threatens ties with Israel, EU says
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Plans for new settlements in East Jerusalem pose a threat to peace and Israel’s relations with the European Union, the 28-member bloc said on Friday, joining the United States in its criticism of the decision.
Ukrainian rebels keep up attacks on government-held airport in Donetsk
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine accused Russian forces on Friday of helping separatists step up pressure on government troops holding the main airport in the eastern city of Donetsk, threatening a fragile ceasefire.
Sentiment divided at haj pilgrimage over role of Islamist militants
ARAFAT Saudi Arabia (Reuters) – Former Egyptian army officer Suliman Ouda minced no words as he climbed Mount Arafat, denouncing Islamist militants in Syria and Iraq as terrorists.
