Turkey turns off independent TV channel on ‘terrorist’ charge
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – An independent Turkish broadcaster was pulled off the air on Friday over allegations of “spreading terrorist propaganda,” adding to fears the government is cracking down on the media, its general coordinator said.
Hezbollah signals no end to Saudi crisis; central bank reassures on currency
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Hezbollah indicated there would be no apology to Saudi Arabia over Lebanon’s decision not to condemn attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, signaling no quick end to a crisis seen as a risk to Lebanese economic and political s…
Libyan soldiers killed as army presses gains in Benghazi
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – Seven soldiers were killed on Friday in clashes with Islamist militants in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, where military forces are pressing to consolidate recent gains, an army commander said.
‘Dear Jean-Claude’: Cameron thanks Juncker for deal ‘creativity’
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – David Cameron has written to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and his legal and negotiating team thanking them personally for their “creativity” in crafting last week’s EU deal for Britain.
Iran extends voting again due to high turnout: State TV
TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran announced a second extension of voting due to high turnout in elections on Friday for parliament and a leadership body known as the Assembly of Experts.
U.S. urges China’s Xi to extend non-militarization pledge to all of South China Sea
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House on Friday urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to extend his pledge not to militarize the disputed Spratly Islands to encompass all of the South China Sea.
Arrest of Brazil’s ‘maker of presidents’ could unmake Rousseff
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian political strategist Joao Santana earned his nickname ‘the maker of presidents’ by guiding leftist leaders to power in Latin America and Africa, but his arrest this week could unmake his most important client, President D…
Niger president Issoufou to face run-off election
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou won 48.4 percent of the vote in the Feb. 21 election and will face a run-off against opposition leader Hama Amadou, who came second with 17.8 percent, the national electoral commission said on Fri…
U.S. becoming more careful in YPG ties: Turkey presidential spokesman
ANKARA (Reuters) – The United States is becoming more careful in its ties with Syrian Kurdish YPG fighters and Ankara has seen some changes in attitude from Washington about the relationship, Turkey’s presidential spokesman said on Friday.
Kosovo lawmakers release tear gas, disrupt presidential vote
PRISTINA (Reuters) – Opposition lawmakers released tear gas in Kosovo’s parliament again on Friday, disrupting a session to elect the country’s next president as part of a long-running protest against a deal to grant the minority ethnic Serbs more righ…
