Syrian air strike on rebel area kills more than 40: monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Syrian air strike killed more than 40 people in a rebel-held area near Damascus on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group and opposition activists said.
French woman kidnapped in Central Africa released: Fabius
PARIS (Reuters) – A French charity worker abducted earlier this week in Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, has been released, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in a statement on Friday.
Congo Senate bows to protests, drops reforms seen delaying vote
KINSHASA (Reuters) – Democratic Republic of Congo’s Senate on Friday scrapped a proposed change to the election law after four days of deadly protests against the proposal that the opposition said was aimed at keeping President Joseph Kabila in power.
Anger, mistrust in Guinea villages hinders battle to beat Ebola
CONAKRY (Reuters) – Angry residents are blocking access for health workers to dozens of remote villages in Guinea, in a sign of persistent mistrust that could threaten President Alpha Conde’s aim to eradicate Ebola from the country by early March.
Lebanese army says soldiers and gunmen killed in clashes
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Fighting broke out between Lebanese troops and gunmen on Friday in an area that has seen repeated incursions by Islamist militants fighting in Syria’s war, the Lebanese army said in a statement.
Egyptian student killed in clashes as anniversary of uprising nears
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (Reuters) – An Egyptian student was killed on Friday during clashes between Muslim Brotherhood protesters and residents in the coastal city of Alexandria, as demonstrations gathered pace two days before the anniversary of the 2011 upr…
Anti-Islam politician Wilders aims to ‘paralyze’ Dutch government
THE HAGUE (Reuters) – Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders is counting on concern over Paris militant attacks to help him “paralyze” the center-right coalition government and stake a claim to greater national influence.
Armenian soldiers killed in border clash with Azerbaijan
YEREVAN (Reuters) – At least two Armenian soldiers were killed in clashes with troops from neighboring Azerbaijan on Friday, but the former Soviet republics gave conflicting death tolls and disputed who was to blame.
Putin blames Ukraine’s ‘criminal orders’ for new fighting
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed “criminal orders” by Ukrainian leaders on Friday for a surge in fighting in east Ukraine, and Russian-backed separatists struck a bellicose tone in ruling out seeking more peace talks.
Tunisia premier-designate forms new government without Islamists
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Habib Essid said on Friday he had formed a government without any cabinet posts for moderate Islamists after negotiations among secular party Nidaa Tounes and other smaller partners in parliament.
