Hong Kong leader says will not run for re-election
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying said on Friday he will not stand for re-election in a 2017 vote for chief executive for family reasons, in a surprise announcement that throws open the race to run the financial hub.
Russia says over 8,000 have fled rebel-held Aleppo in last 24 hours
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Russian military said on Friday it had helped more than 8,000 Syrian citizens flee parts of eastern Aleppo still controlled by rebels in the last 24 hours, including almost 3,000 children.
Verdict expected in hate speech trial of Dutch politician Wilders
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – A verdict is expected later on Friday in the hate-speech trial of Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who was quoted in a newspaper earlier in the day as saying that the judgment was irrelevant.
Malaysia PM opens thorny debate in accusing Myanmar of genocide
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s stern rebuke to Myanmar for a military-led crackdown on Muslim Rohingyas was a rarity among Southeast Asian nations, who adhere to a policy of non-interference in each other’s domestic aff…
Russia says continues investigation in case of ex-minister Ulyukayev
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Russian Investigative Committee is continuing “active investigative activity” into the case of ex-economy minister Alexey Ulyukayev, the committee said on Friday.
Turkey seeks arrest of university academics in Gulen-related probe: media
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish prosecutors ordered the arrest of 87 people linked to Istanbul University in an investigation targeting followers of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Ankara of being behind July’s attempted coup, media reported…
China’s Xi calls for universities’ allegiance to the Communist Party
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s President Xi Jinping has called for allegiance to the ruling Communist Party from the country’s colleges and universities, the latest effort by Beijing to tighten its hold on education.
Trump says U.S.-China relationship must improve
DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) – President-elect Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States needed to improve its relationship with China, which he criticized for its economic policies and failure to rein in North Korea.
Iraqi troops pull out from Mosul hospital after fierce battle
BAGHDAD/MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqi troops who briefly seized a Mosul hospital believed to be used as an Islamic State base were forced to withdraw from the site, but managed to establish a base for army tanks nearby after days of fierce back-and-for…
Syrian army’s Aleppo advance slows, but victory in sight
ALEPPO, Syria/BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian army’s advance in Aleppo slowed on Thursday but a victory was still firmly in sight after President Bashar al-Assad vowed that retaking the city would change the course of the six-year-old war.
