Central African Republic civilian leaders threaten to boycott peace talks
BANGUI/PARIS (Reuters) – Key political and religious groups in strifetorn Central African Republic on Friday threatened to boycott peace talks in the neighboring Republic of Congo, saying their county’s future should be resolved at home.
Erdogan, launching presidential bid, vows ‘pioneering new Turkey’
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Tayyip Erdogan outlined his vision for a “pioneering new Turkey” on Friday, pledging to re-write the constitution, forge a more prominent role on the world stage and deepen democracy if he becomes the country’s first popularly-elec…
Iran preparing to start plant needed for interim nuclear deal: sources
VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran has taken preparatory action to start up a uranium conversion plant it needs to fulfil an interim nuclear agreement reached with six world powers last year before the accord expires this month, diplomatic sources said.
U.N. asks Europe to take Syrian refugees as region saturated
GENEVA (Reuters) – Europe must open its doors to more Syrian refugees, having welcomed only a “miniscule” number while Syria’s neighbors have reached “saturation point”, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said on Friday.
Turkey says Israel’s Gaza offensive threatens rapprochement
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said Israeli bombardment of Gaza was blocking efforts to patch up relations undermined by a 2010 attack by Israeli commandos on a Turkish ship that had been challenging its blockade of the Palest…
Russian lawmaker says son, detained by U.S., needs medicine
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Russian lawmaker said on Friday his son, accused by the United States of hacking into U.S. retailers’ computer systems, could die in detention if he does not receive medical treatment.
EU names two South Sudan military officials it sanctioned
JUBA (Reuters) – The European Union said on Friday it was imposing sanctions on Peter Gadet, a South Sudanese rebel leader who commanded an ethnic militia that massacred more than 200 civilians in April.
Putin begins Latin American tour amid Ukraine crisis
HAVANA (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin begins a six-day tour of Latin America on Friday, seeking greater influence in the backyard of the United States while under pressure from the West to help restrain pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine….
India’s Modi accepts invitation to meet Obama
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted an invitation to meet U.S. President Barack Obama in September, as Washington seeks to court the Asian giant’s new government and revive strained relations between the world’s two l…
Thirty Ukrainian troops possibly killed in rebel missile attack: government adviser
KIEV (Reuters) – A rebel attack with Grad missiles on a Ukrainian post on the border with Russia on Friday may have killed as many as 30 soldiers and border guards and final casualties may even be higher, an interior ministry official said.
