Kicked out of Somalia, U.N. envoy publicly raises poll concerns
The United Nations envoy to Somalia warned on Thursday that the arrest of a former militant leader could deter others from choosing politics over violence, speaking publicly about the incident despite being kicked out of the country just days earlier f…
Pope Francis criticizes U.S. bishops over abuse scandal, demands unity
Pope Francis accused U.S. bishops on Thursday of failing to show unity in the face of a sexual abuse crisis, saying internal bickering had to end over a scandal that has shredded the Church’s credibility.
Flynn’s ex-business partner seeks trial delay in Turkey lobbying case
Lawyers for Bijan Rafiekian, the ex-business partner of former U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn, said Thursday they want to delay the upcoming February criminal trial into whether their client covertly lobbied for Turkey.
Congo election mishaps kept many from voting: domestic observers
Many Congolese were kept from voting in the Dec. 30 presidential election because polling stations often opened late, closed early and voting machines sometimes did not work, a group of observers said on Thursday.
One candidate clearly won Congo election: Catholic church
Democratic Republic of Congo’s Catholic bishops conference (CENCO) said on Thursday that results from Sunday’s presidential election in its possession show that one candidate has clearly won, but did not say which one.
Russia charges American with espionage: Interfax citing ‘informed source’
Russia has charged former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan with espionage, Interfax news agency reported on Thursday, citing what it described as an informed source.
Irish PM: Any changes to Brexit cannot undermine backstop
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Thursday the European Union would not accept clarifications or reassurances on Britain’s Brexit deal that would undermine the spirit of the agreement or render any part of it inoperable.
With May’s agreement in balance, ministers warn against no-deal Brexit
Britain is more likely to leave the EU without a deal if lawmakers reject the agreement Prime Minister Theresa May has negotiated, one of her ministers said on Thursday, as a second said a no-deal exit would hit the farming sector hard.
DUP’s Dodds says party’s objections to PM May’s Brexit deal remain, talks continue
The Democractic Unionist Party’s objections to Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal remain, its deputy leader Nigel Dodds said on Thursday after talks with the British leader.
Danish police says eight killed in train accident, probably all Danes
Five women and three men died in the train accident on a bridge linking Denmark’s two main islands, and they were probably all Danes, police said on Thursday.
