Egypt is giant prison, activists banned from travel say
CAIRO (Reuters) – Azza Soliman was due to board a plane to attend a conference in Jordan when security officials at Cairo airport turned her away, saying a court order banned her from traveling.
Austrian far-right candidate lashes out over ‘Oexit’ charges
VIENNA (Reuters) – Norbert Hofer, vying to become the first freely elected far-right head of state in Europe since World War Two, said opponents who repeatedly accused him of seeking a break with the European Union (EU) were themselves damaging Austria…
French presidential race centers on ‘top cop’ Valls after Hollande bow-out
PARIS (Reuters) – Prime Minister Manuel Valls emerged on Friday as the possible standard bearer of the ruling Socialists in France’s presidential election following Francois Hollande’s shock announcement that he would not seek a second term.
Iraqis desperate to return to homes rigged with bombs by Islamic State
BASHIQA, Iraq (Reuters) – Khedr Selim trod gingerly through the rubble of his old home, desperate to move back in with his family after two years on the run, but terrified in case Islamic State fighters, driven out at last, had wired the house to explo…
From wintry Lithuania, NATO sends Russia a signal of resolve
PABRADE, Lithuania (Reuters) – Troops from 11 NATO countries including the United States rehearsed battle skills in a snowy Lithuanian forest on Friday, and the leader of the Baltic state voiced confidence that U.S. commitment to Europe’s defense would…
Russia not serious in talks with Aleppo rebels, says senior opposition official
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A senior Syrian opposition official accused Russia on Friday of procrastinating and showing no seriousness in the first talks it has held with rebel groups from the Syrian city of Aleppo, indicating meetings in Turkey are getting now…
Turkish foreign minister calls for immediate ceasefire in Syria
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called for an immediate ceasefire in Syria on Friday, describing the situation in Aleppo as critical and saying that President Bashar al-Assad was unfit to rule.
China concerned over Taiwan content in U.S. defense bill
BEIJING (Reuters) – China on Friday expressed concern that an annual U.S. defense policy bill suggests a plan to conduct high-level military exchanges with Taiwan, the self-governed island that Beijing sees as a breakaway province.
Thailand’s new king makes first public appearance
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s new king on Friday made his first public appearance since ascending the throne the previous day, ending a period of uncertainty since the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, on Oct. 13.
Tens of thousands protest in Jakarta amid fury over Christian governor
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Muslims poured into central Jakarta on Friday to protest against the city’s governor, a Christian accused of insulting the Koran, fuelling tension that has alarmed Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
