Turkey says France ‘completely wrong’ on Syria
ANKARA/PARIS (Reuters) – A senior Turkish official said on Friday that a French pledge to help stabilize a region of northern Syria controlled by Kurdish-dominated forces amounted to support for terrorism and could make France a “target of Turkey”.
Two Gazans killed, Palestinians say, as border protest begins
GAZA-ISRAEL BORDER (Reuters) – At least two Palestinians were killed and more than 50 wounded by Israeli gunfire in Gaza, Palestinian medical officials said on Friday, as Gazans began a planned six-week protest along the border with Israel.
Syrian rebel group denies reports they will leave Douma
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian rebel group Jaish al-Islam denied reports on Friday it would leave Douma near Damascus, after Russia said it had reached an agreement by which insurgents would leave the town.
Human Rights Watch declines Singapore’s invite to ‘fake news’ hearing
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Human Rights Watch declined on Friday an invitation from Singapore to give evidence at a public hearing on “fake news”, saying the hearing was not a “true consultation” but a “media event”.
Two coalition personnel killed by explosive device in Syria
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Two personnel with the U.S.-led coalition battling Islamic State were killed and five were wounded by an improvised explosive device in Syria, the coalition said on Friday.
Bulgaria says will not expel Russian diplomats over spy poisoning
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria will not expel Russian diplomats in response to a nerve agent attack in England that the British government has blamed on Moscow, its prime minister said on Friday.
Kosovo PM sacks security chief, interior minister over Turkish arrests
PRISTINA (Reuters) – Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj dismissed on Friday the interior minister and the secret service chief after the arrest and extradition to Turkey of six Turkish nationals.
Erdogan spokesman says expects Turkey’s allies to take clear anti-terrorism stance
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – President Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman said on Friday Turkey expected its allies to take a clear stance against terrorism instead of taking steps that amount to legitimizing “terror structures”.
For one Catholic parish in China, division and confusion as historic deal looms
YINGTAN, China (Reuters) – Like many Chinese Catholics, Lin Jinqing was shocked when news trickled through to him of an impending deal between Beijing and the Vatican that would end a long dispute over control of the Church in China.
Campaigning begins for Mexico presidential vote
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Two of Mexico’s four presidential hopefuls began their campaigns on Friday, as the country looks set to reject the party that has governed for most of the past century over corruption scandals and favor a leftist dissenter.
