Belarus leader says does not mind Nobel Prize winner’s criticism of his rule
MINSK (Reuters) – Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko on Friday welcomed the awarding of this year’s Nobel Prize for Literature to his compatriot Svetlana Alexievich, saying he did not hold her criticism of his government against her.
U.N. council OKs mission against human trafficking off Libya
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations Security Council on Friday authorized European Union naval operations for one year to seize and dispose of vessels operated by human traffickers in the high seas off Libya.
China arrested hackers at U.S. request: Washington Post
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Chinese government took unprecedented action by complying with a U.S. request and arresting hackers suspected of stealing secrets from U.S. companies to pass to Chinese state-run companies, the Washington Post reported on Fri…
U.S. supplies ‘precision’ shells to Lebanon to help it defend border with Syria
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The United States is providing the Lebanese army with a consignment of laser-guided artillery shells in an $8.6 million arms package intended to help Lebanon defend against cross-border incursions from Syria, the U.S. embassy said on…
Tunisian mediator group wins Nobel Peace Prize for aiding move to democracy
OSLO/TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia’s National Dialogue Quartet won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for helping build democracy in the birthplace of the Arab Spring, an example of peaceful transition in a region otherwise struggling with violence and upheav…
Israeli troops kill four Palestinians in protest at Gaza fence: medics
GAZA (Reuters) – Israeli troops fired across the border into Gaza on Friday, killing four Palestinians and wounding at least a dozen others who were throwing stones during a rally in support of protests in Jerusalem, hospital officials in Gaza said.
Hong Kong students and university staff rally to defend academic freedom
HONG KONG (Reuters) – More than a thousand students and staff staged a rally at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) on Friday, the second demonstration in a week to protest against what they say is interference by Beijing in academic freedom.
An American hired gun aims to persuade Britons to leave EU
LONDON (Reuters) – Most Britons have never heard of Gerry Gunster, yet the 48-year-old American could play a major role in whether they vote to leave the European Union at a membership referendum due by the end of 2017.
Taxis parade once-empty streets of North Korean capital
PYONGYANG (Reuters) – Ahead of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party anniversary on Saturday, it is a parade of taxis, not tanks, that stands out most in the isolated country’s capital, Pyongyang. Parts of impoverished North Korea have been serviced for decades by a small fleet of run-down taxis, but in the last few years the industry has mushroomed in Pyongyang, fueled by a rising consumer class.
Ukraine ex-security official doubts MH17 report will give answers
VINNYTSIA, Ukraine (Reuters) – A former top official in Ukraine’s security service said on Friday he doubted a final international report on the crash of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 would provide conclusive answers.
