Hong Kong appeals to protesters to pack up before camp clearance
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong urged pro-democracy protesters to pack up their tents and leave their main camp near government headquarters, saying it could not promise there would be no “confrontations” when the site is cleared on Thursday.
Indian opposition politicians criticize conversion of Muslims
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian Hindu groups are luring poor Muslims to convert with offers of cheap food, opposition politicians said on Wednesday, accusing the groups of a “diabolical agenda” to undermine religious diversity.
Russia says small military mission in east Ukraine at Kiev’s request: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Russian general said on Wednesday a small Russian military mission in eastern Ukraine is there at the invitation of Kiev and is assisting the OSCE security group in efforts to secure peace, RIA news agency reported.
Rouble fall, sanctions hurt Russia’s economy: Medvedev
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The weakness of the rouble is hurting Russia, which has lost tens of billions of dollars because of sanctions imposed by the West in the Ukraine crisis, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday.
Middle East funds Gambia as EU cuts aid over human rights concerns
DAKAR (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The European Union has withdrawn millions of euros of funding for Gambia due to its poor human rights record, leaving the mainly Muslim West African nation to rely increasingly on donors from the Middle East for dev…
Nigeria opposition meets to pick candidate against Jonathan
LAGOS (Reuters) – Nigeria’s main opposition coalition began a convention on Wednesday to select a candidate to take on President Goodluck Jonathan in February, in what will be the most closely fought election since the end of military rule in 1999.
Chechens loyal to Russia fight alongside east Ukraine rebels
OUTSIDE OF DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) – Chanting “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest), dozens of armed men in camouflage uniforms from Russia’s republic of Chechnya train in snow in a camp in the rebel-held east Ukraine.
Airlines body calls for U.N. to regulate anti-aircraft weaponry
GENEVA (Reuters) – Global airlines body IATA has called on the UN to regulate anti-aircraft weaponry in a similar way to chemical weapons following the shooting down of a commercial airliner over Ukraine earlier this year.
China rights lawyer denies all accusations, including inciting ethnic hatred
BEIJING (Reuters) – A prominent Chinese human rights lawyer has denied serious accusations, including that he incited “ethnic hatred” and separatism, charges which could lead to life in jail, his lawyers said on Wednesday.
Philippine blast that killed 10 aimed at derailing peace deal, say army officials
MANILA (Reuters) – A bomb attack in the southern Philippines that killed 10 bus passengers, mostly students, and injured 42, was intended to derail a peace deal with Muslim rebels, two army officials said on Wednesday.
