Putin marks Victory in Crimea as Ukraine violence flares
SEVASTOPOL (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin flew in to Crimea on Friday for the first time since it was annexed by Moscow, proclaiming as he marked the Soviet victory in World War Two that incorporating the former Ukrainian territory had made Russi…
Scandals muddy Colombia election two weeks before voting
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Spying and bribery allegations have marred the run-up to Colombia’s presidential election with top advisors for both candidates resigning in a bitter campaign that could sour voter support just over two weeks from the ballot.
Nigerian president says believes kidnapped girls still in the country
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said on Friday he believed 200 schoolgirls abducted by Islamist militants last month in an attack that has stirred global outrage are still in his country and have not been moved to neighboring Cam…
EU candidates say national governments must respect vote
FLORENCE, Italy (Reuters) – Candidates to lead the European Commission after EU parliamentary elections this month lashed out on Friday against suggestions that the real choice would be made not by voters but by national governments.
At least 13 missing Niger migrants found dead in Sahara: officials
NIAMEY (Reuters) – At least 13 of the dozens of migrants from Niger abandoned by smugglers in the Sahara desert last week have been found dead in southern Algeria, a local official and a military source in Niger said on Friday.
Yemen’s defense minister escapes al Qaeda assassination bid: security source
SANAA (Reuters) – Yemen’s defense minister escaped an assassination attempt by suspected al Qaeda militants in southern Yemen on Friday, a security source told Reuters.
Israel fires back at U.S. envoy over peace talks’ failure
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel fired back on Friday at a senior U.S. official, who blamed Jewish settlement construction in part for the breakdown of peacemaking with the Palestinians, saying he himself had done nothing to help the negotiations.
Electrical work halted at World Cup stadium after worker’s death
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Electrical work at a World Cup stadium under construction in the Brazilian city of Cuiaba was halted until safety precautions were taken, following an electrical accident that killed a worker, labor authorities said on Friday.
Ireland promises culture change in policing after ‘grave’ report
DUBLIN (Reuters) – Ireland promised comprehensive reform and a cultural change in policing on Friday, after the release of a report on deficiencies among officers that had forced the justice minister to resign.
U.N. nuclear agency seeks detonator clarification from Iran: sources
VIENNA (Reuters) – The U.N. nuclear watchdog has received an explanation from Iran about the development of detonators that can help set off an atomic explosive device, and has asked for further clarification, diplomatic sources said on Friday.