Czech center-left leader becomes PM, seeking closer EU ties
PRAGUE (Reuters) – Czech President Milos Zeman appointed center-left leader Bohuslav Sobotka prime minister on Friday, opening the way for the former finance minister to pursue looser fiscal policies and closer links with the core of Europe.
Rocket fired from Syria kills seven in Lebanese border town
HERMEL, Lebanon (Reuters) – Rocket fire into the Lebanese border town of Arsal killed at least seven people and wounded 15 on Friday, Lebanon’s state news agency said, in one of several such salvoes to hit towns bordering war-torn Syria.
Italy small parties threaten government over electoral reform
ROME (Reuters) – The three small parties backing the coalition government of Prime Minister Enrico Letta on Friday threatened to bring down the administration unless they are part of an agreement on electoral reform.
Iran has $100 billion abroad, can draw $4.2 billion: U.S. official
VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran has about $100 billion in foreign exchange assets around the world, of which it will be able to access $4.2 billion under last year’s nuclear agreement with six world powers, a senior U.S. administration official said on Friday….
Three killed in clashes between militants the army in Yemen
ADEN (Reuters) – Clashes between armed militants and the Yemeni army killed three and injured two in Yemen’s southern city of al-Dalea on Friday, Yemen’s state news agency SABA reported.
Congo army attacks Ugandan Islamist rebels in lawless east
BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) – Democratic Republic of Congo forces attacked Ugandan Islamist rebels in the lawless east on Friday, launching a U.N.-backed offensive to clear insurgents from the mineral-rich zone.
In long-awaited speech, Gandhi tries to boost India’s ruling party
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s Nehru-Gandhi dynasty scion promised on Friday to combat corruption and warned of an opposition trying to split India on religious lines in his first speech since being named to head the embattled Congress Party’s campaign …
Syria hands Aleppo ceasefire plan to Russia, wants prisoner swap
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said on Friday he had handed Russia plans for a ceasefire with rebel forces in Syria’s biggest city, Aleppo, and was ready to exchange lists on a possible prisoner swap.
Mass grave fuels fear of thousands buried in Sri Lanka war zone
MANNAR, Sri Lanka (Reuters) – The discovery of a mass grave containing more than 30 skulls in northern Sri Lanka has fuelled speculation that there may be many more like it containing the remains of thousands who went missing during the island nation’s…
France’s Hollande visits ‘first lady’ in hospital: source
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande paid a first visit on Thursday to his partner Valerie Trierweiler since she was hospitalized in need of rest after reports he has a mistress, a source in his office said.
