U.N. was told Golan peacekeepers seized ‘for their protection’
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations on Friday said it had been informed that the Islamist militants who seized 44 Fijian peacekeepers in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights did so “for their own protection” and that all the detained blue-helme…
Obama, in Estonia and at NATO summit, to send strong message to Putin
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama will visit Estonia and attend a NATO summit in Wales next week to send a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that his incursion into Ukraine must be reversed and to keep his hands off th…
After hard bargaining, EU set for deal on new leadership
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union leaders are set to end weeks of wrangling over top jobs in Brussels and agree on Saturday on who will fill key posts in EU institutions that face major challenges from a combative Russia and a stuttering economy.
Italy’s Renzi tries new reform plan as economy sinks
ROME (Reuters) – Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on Friday presented a plan to quicken the pace of Italian justice and break down bureaucratic obstacles to investment as fresh data pointed to a further deterioration in Italy’s recession bound economy.
Cuban migrants head back to sea after being turned away in Caymans
GEORGE TOWN Cayman Islands (Reuters) – Sixteen Cuban migrants who sought refuge in Grand Cayman have resumed their voyage in a small, homemade aluminum boat after local officials turned them away, citing a migration agreement with Cuba.
Islamist gains in Syria alarm some Assad allies
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A mounting death toll in President Bashar al-Assad’s armed forces is causing alarm among some government loyalists who are worried about Islamic State’s territorial gains and are turning their anger on the authorities in Damascus.
Ukraine seeks to join NATO; defiant Putin compares Kiev to Nazis
LAKE SELIGER Russia/KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine called on Friday for full membership in NATO, its strongest plea yet for Western military help, after accusing Russia of sending in armored columns that have driven back its forces on behalf of pro-Moscow re…
Suriname leader’s son pleads guilty to trying to help Hezbollah
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Suriname President Desi Bouterse’s son pleaded guilty on Friday to charges of attempting to aid Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, and conspiring to import cocaine into the United States.
Colombia arrests suspected drug trafficker for major Mexico cartel
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombian authorities have arrested a Costa Rican man accused of trafficking shipments of cocaine to the United States on behalf of Mexico’s infamous Sinaloa cartel.
Pentagon says Iraq operations costing on average $7.5 million per day
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. military operations against Islamic State in Iraq have cost an average of $7.5 million per day since they began in mid-June, the Pentagon said on Friday, a figure that means the department has spent more than $500 million on…
