Cuba’s Raul Castro promises succession has started
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuban President Raul Castro assured his people on Friday that a transfer of power to younger generations had begun, in a televised address marking the 60th anniversary of the start of the Cuban revolution.
Israel blocks EU projects in West Bank
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel has blocked the European Union from aiding tens of thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank, in retaliation for an EU ban on financial assistance to Israeli organizations in the occupied territories.
Interpol snubs Moscow again in chase of fund manager Browder
PARIS (Reuters) – Interpol on Friday rejected a second request from Moscow to put British investment fund head William Browder on its search list, dealing a fresh blow to Russia’s drive to jail the man behind a campaign to expose corruption and rights …
Hostility radiates as two Egypts take to the streets
CAIRO (Reuters) – Rival camps struggling for Egypt’s future radiated mistrust and hostility from competing mass protests in Cairo on Friday, with Islamists proclaiming justice as their only weapon and their opponents demanding the army fight terrorism….
South Sudan’s Machar sets sights on presidency, challenges Kiir
JUBA (Reuters) – South Sudan’s former Vice President Riek Machar said on Friday he planned to become the frontrunner for the ruling SPLM party in elections in 2015, throwing down the gauntlet to President Salva Kiir who dismissed him three days ago.
Turkey warns Syrian Kurds against ‘dangerous’ moves
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey urged Syrian Kurds on Friday not to establish a break-away entity in northern Syria by force, with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan warning against any “wrong and dangerous” moves that could hurt Turkish security.
Greek shipowner jailed pending money laundering trial
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek shipowner Victor Restis has been imprisoned pending trial on money laundering and embezzlement charges, court officials said on Friday, making him one of only a few prominent businessmen to be jailed amid public anger over corr…
EU wants to strengthen its fledgling diplomatic service
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union’s fledgling diplomatic service, which has faced criticism over its leadership and focus, should take a stronger role in drawing up sanctions and look at making its overseas posts more like embassies, an EU report…
Islamists rally to defend Tunisian government after assassination
TUNIS (Reuters) – Several thousand Islamists took to the streets of Tunis on Friday to defend the Islamist-led government from popular demands for it to resign over the assassination of a secular opposition politician.
Top Russian opposition leader appeals conviction ahead of Moscow vote
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s most prominent opposition leader and anti-graft blogger, Alexei Navalny, on Friday filed an appeal against his conviction and sentencing to five years in prison for embezzling funds from a state timber company.