EU edges to economic sanctions on Russia but narrows scope
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union reached outline agreement on Friday to impose the first economic sanctions on Russia over its behaviour in Ukraine but scaled back their scope to exclude technology for the crucial gas sector.
U.S. tells Pakistan: Do not let Haqqani fighters resettle
ASPEN Colorado (Reuters) – The U.S. government urged Pakistan on Friday to prevent displaced Haqqani militants from returning to their traditional sanctuary after a Pakistani military offensive near the Afghanistan border.
Bad weather seen as probable cause of Air Algerie crash
PARIS/BAMAKO (Reuters) – Poor weather was the most likely cause of the crash of an Air Algerie flight in the West African country of Mali that killed all 118 people on board, French officials said on Friday.
Libya seeks ceasefire as south Tripoli a militia ‘war zone’
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Black plumes of smoke marked shell blasts and bulldozed earthen barricades mapped out the frontlines around Tripoli’s largest airport, now at the heart of a standoff between the country’s powerful militias.
Islamic State kills Syrian soldiers, captures parts of base: group
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Fighters from al Qaeda offshoot Islamic State killed at least 50 Syrian army soldiers and took over parts of their base on Friday outside the northern city of Raqqa, as the radicals escalated their attacks on government forces, a mon…
Iraq’s top cleric sends subtle message to Maliki: step aside
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s most influential Shi’ite cleric urged political leaders on Friday to refrain from clinging to their posts – an apparent reference to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who has defied demands that he step aside. Speaking through a…
Ukraine faces bitter election in midst of conflict with Russia
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s prime minister has launched what promises to be a bitter election campaign that could divide pro-Western parties and complicate their efforts to fight pro-Russian rebels in the country’s east.
Obama calls Afghan candidates as vote recount drags on
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Friday called Afghanistan’s presidential candidates who are fighting over who won a June 14 election and urged them to maintain national unity during a vote recount and transition, the White House said.
Kenyan police kill two men suspected of planning ferry attack
MOMBASA Kenya (Reuters) – Kenyan police said on Friday they shot and killed two armed men suspected of planning an attack on a ferry in the port city of Mombasa after one of them tried to hurl a grenade at approaching police.
Syrian air strike kills 20 rebels on Lebanese border: sources
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Syrian Air Force strike on the border with Lebanon killed around 20 Syrian rebel fighters on Friday, security sources said, in the latest spillover of violence into the area.
