Russia kills militants behind Syria air base attack: agencies
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s defense ministry said on Friday it had found and killed the group of militants which attacked its air base in Syria in December, Russian news agencies reported.
Merkel wants to seal coalition deal with SPD swiftly: source
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to conclude negotiations with the Social Democrats (SPD) on forming a coalition government by mid-February, a source in her conservative party said on Friday.
Syrian war will drag into next decade: senior Kurdish leader
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Russian-led effort to end the war in Syria will fail and the conflict looks set to extend into the next decade, a top Syrian Kurdish politician told Reuters in an interview.
Flare-up with Israel tests Hamas effort to keep Gaza on low boil
ISRAEL-GAZA BORDER (Reuters) – The worst fighting on the Gaza Strip front since 2014 is being calibrated by Hamas, which wants to signal defiance of Israel and the United States while being careful not to trigger a new war for the enclave’s penned-in …
New face emerges in Hong Kong democracy movement, as others face court
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Having seen a court disqualify her friend from holding a seat in Hong Kong’s legislature, 21-year-old Agnes Chow stands ready to step into the breach by contesting his seat for a pro-democracy movement that has provoked China’s wr…
Qatar says Emirati plane violated airspace, UAE denies
DUBAI (Reuters) – Qatar has filed a complaint to the United Nations about an alleged violation of its airspace in December by an Emirati military aircraft, state news agency QNA reported on Friday.
Vandals attack churches in Chile three days ahead of Pope visit
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Vandals in Santiago attacked three churches before dawn on Friday, throwing homemade bombs that caused minor damage and leaving notes threatening Pope Francis just three days ahead of the pontiff’s visit to Chile next week, police …
Thousands of Greeks protest over right to strike, hitting hospitals, transport and shipping
ATHENS (Reuters) – Thousands of Greek protesters marched in central Athens on Friday against new reforms, including restrictions on the right to strike, that parliament is set to approve next week in return for bailout funds.
In rut, Russian communists register surprise candidate to challenge Putin
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Russian Communist Party moved to overhaul its geriatric image on Friday, registering a wealthy 57-year-old farm boss to challenge incumbent Vladimir Putin for the presidency in a gamble it hopes will revive its electoral fortune…
Merkel strikes deal with social democrats, opening way to new German government
BERLIN (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel struck a deal with Social Democrat (SPD) rivals on Friday to open government coalition talks, easing months of uncertainty that has undermined Germany’s global role and raised questions about her political fu…
