Hollande reassures Muslims, Islamists hack French websites
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande reassured Muslims on Thursday that his country respected them and their religion but said France would not compromise on its commitment to freedom and democracy.
North Korea calls U.S.-South Korea exercises ‘open challenge’
GENEVA (Reuters) – Joint military exercises by South Korea and the United States this week are “an open challenge” to North Korea’s demand to ease tension on the divided peninsula, a Pyongyang envoy said on Thursday.
Fighting intensifies at Ukraine airport, two soldiers killed
KIEV (Reuters) – Fighting intensified around the international airport in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk on Thursday as pro-Russian separatists stepped up efforts to dislodge government forces and Ukraine’s military said two of its soldiers had been kil…
U.S. welcomes reports of Pakistani plan to ban Haqqanis
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States said on Thursday it welcomed reports that Pakistan was planning to outlaw the Haqqani network and other militant groups linked to violent extremism.
Germany arrests suspected Islamic State fighter after return from Syria
BERLIN (Reuters) – German police arrested a suspected supporter of the insurgent group Islamic State (IS) who was recently in Syria and raided his apartment in the state of Lower Saxony, federal prosecutors said on Thursday.
French attacks inquiry centers on prison ‘sorcerer’ Beghal
PARIS (Reuters) – The French investigation into last week’s Paris shootings is exploring the possible role of Djamel Beghal, an Islamist suspected of first bringing the gunmen together and putting them on the path from impressionable youths to cold-blo…
No chance for Putin to be invited to G7 summit, Merkel says
BERLIN (Reuters) – There is no chance that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be invited to the next meeting of G7 leaders, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who will host the summit, was quoted as saying on Thursday.
Canadian minister hopes for Jazeera reporter’s release after Cairo talks
CAIRO (Reuters) – Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said after “constructive” talks in Cairo on Thursday he hoped that a Canadian journalist working for Al Jazeera television could be released before long from an Egyptian prison.
Israeli market reformer launches wild-card election bid
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – An ex-Israeli cabinet minister known for spurring market reform launched a new party on Thursday to run in the March 17 election, a wild-card bid seen as potentially helping Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu return to power.
Argentina judge slams prosecutor accusing Fernandez of Iran plot
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – The judge handling the case of Argentina’s worst-ever bombing attack raised questions on Thursday about accusations against President Cristina Fernandez brought by a prosecutor who accused the two-term leader of trying to help …
