Exclusive: U.N. set to lift Ivory Coast diamond ban, tweak arms embargo
UNITED NATIONS/ABIDJAN (Reuters) – The U.N. Security Council is set to partially ease a decade-long arms embargo on Ivory Coast and lift a ban on diamond exports, diplomats said on Friday, despite claims by U.N. experts the measure failed to stop illic…
Congo music festival stampede kills 21
KINSHASA (Reuters) – At least 21 people were killed when a power cut caused a stampede at a crowded music festival in Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday, the local government said.
Top Turkish judge assails Erdogan for splitting judiciary
ANKARA (Reuters) – In a defiant challenge to Turkey’s prime minister, the head of the Constitutional Court complained on Friday of political criticism which he said had traumatized and divided the judiciary.
4.5 magnitude quake strikes in southern Greece
(Reuters) – A 4.5-magnitude earthquake struck southern Greece on Friday in the Peloponnese region, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Party vote to decide fate of Slovenian government
LJUBLJANA (Reuters) – The fate of Slovenia’s coalition government, which saved the country from an international bailout last year, hung in the balance on Friday as Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek faced a challenge to her leadership of the main party.
‘Pause’ perhaps needed in Israeli-Palestinian talks: Obama
SEOUL (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday a “pause” might be needed in U.S.-brokered peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, suggesting leaders on both sides lacked the will to make the necessary compromises.
Turkish president approves law widening secret service’s powers
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s president approved a law on Friday boosting the powers of the secret service, in a move critics of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan see as a bid to tighten his control in the country in the face of a challenge to his authorit…
South Korea, U.S. pledge firm response to North Korea
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea represents a threat not just to Asia but to the United States, U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday, as he and South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye warned they would respond firmly to any “provocations”.
Four killed in Pakistan by bomb aimed at Shi’ites, say police
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – At least four people were killed in the Pakistani city of Karachi on Friday when a roadside bomb aimed at a bus carrying Shi’ite Muslim worshippers exploded, police said.
Italy rescues 1,800 more migrants from boats in rough seas
ROME (Reuters) – Italian navy and coastguard vessels have rescued around 1,800 more people from boats in rough seas off Sicily, authorities said on Friday, as the chronic migrant crisis continued around the southern island.
