World Bank says received no payments from Iran in six months
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Iran has not paid back any of its loans to the World Bank for more than six months, the bank said on Thursday, a further sign of the strains on the sanctions-hit Iranian economy.
Kerry returns to U.S. on Friday after consulting Israel, Palestinians
AMMAN (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will return to the United States on Friday after consulting Israel and the Palestinians on his effort to revive their peace talks, a senior U.S. State Department official said.
Russia jails top opposition leader; Putin denounced as dictator
KIROV, Russia (Reuters) – Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was sentenced to five years in jail for theft on Thursday, an unexpectedly tough punishment which supporters said proved President Vladimir Putin was a dictator ruling by repression.
Murdoch says police inquiries into journalists ‘disproportionate’
LONDON (Reuters) – Media mogul Rupert Murdoch said the police investigations into alleged criminal activity by journalists at his newspapers in Britain were “disproportionate”, according to letters written to British lawmakers.
Egypt president promises to fight chaos before pro-Mursi rallies
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s interim President Adli Mansour promised on Thursday to fight those driving the nation towards chaos, hours before the Muslim Brotherhood plans mass protests to demand the return of ousted Islamist leader Mohamed Mursi.
Nigeria’s oil minister urges lawmakers to pass petroleum bill
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria’s oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, defended at a public hearing on Thursday sweeping powers that would be granted to her office under a Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), and she urged lawmakers to pass it.
Egypt’s president vows to restore stability, prevent chaos
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s interim president, Adli Mansour, said on Thursday some people were trying to drive Egypt into “chaos” and promised to restore stability and security to the country.
Nigeria prepares to prosecute 500 detained oil thieves
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria’s government is preparing to prosecute 500 people it has detained on allegations of stealing oil, officials said on Thursday in a crackdown on a criminal enterprise that drains up to a fifth of the country’s oil output.
U.S. ‘deeply disappointed’ at Russian opposition leader conviction
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A White House spokesman said on Thursday the United States is “deeply disappointed and concerned” at the conviction of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and called on Russia to allow an appeal and cease pressure on anti-co…
Biden: U.S. ready to engage with North Korea if talks ‘genuine’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is ready to engage in dialogue with North Korea, but only if Pyongyang is prepared for “genuine” negotiations and commits to giving up its nuclear ambitions, Vice President Joe Biden said on Thursday.
