Egypt defends rights record against critics at U.N.
GENEVA (Reuters) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s government defended its human rights record against Western and regional critics at a United Nations hearing on Wednesday, declaring that personal freedoms were among its prime concerns.
Iran hardliners want nuclear deal but no ties with Washington
ANKARA/DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran may be ready to reach a nuclear deal with world powers to revive its economy, but is in no rush to go further by restoring relations with the United States, calculating this would imperil its domestic support.
Ukraine peace plan in tatters, ‘frozen conflict’ takes shape
KIEV/DONETSK Ukraine (Reuters) – Kiev said on Wednesday it would halt payment of state funds in areas controlled by pro-Moscow rebels, as both sides hardened positions in what is rapidly becoming a “frozen conflict”: a long-term stalemate that the West…
Spain court grants extradition of ‘Pink Panther’ jewel thief suspect to UAE
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain will extradite a Serbian wanted by the United Arab Emirates for his alleged role in a multi-million dollar jewel heist carried out there by the so-called Pink Panther gang, the High Court said on Wednesday.
Myanmar’s Suu Kyi says reforms stalled, West too optimistic
YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Wednesday political reforms had been stalled for months and accused the United States of being overly optimistic about the chance of progress.
Two teenagers killed by shelling in Ukraine’s Donetsk
KIEV (Reuters) – Two teenagers were killed by shelling while out playing on a school sports field in the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, the city’s administration said.
U.N. court considering releasing ailing Serbian war crimes suspect
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The United Nations court trying crimes from the bloody break-up of former Yugoslavia is considering provisional release for an ailing Serbian former politician in detention awaiting a verdict for over a decade.
Turkey warns of Syrian threat to Aleppo, fears new refugee influx
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has accused Syrian forces of committing massacres in and around Aleppo and said Turkey would face a major new refugee crisis if Syria’s second city fell into their hands.
Turkey warns of Syrian threat to Aleppo, fears new refugee influx
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has accused Syrian forces of committing massacres in and around Aleppo and said Turkey would face a major new refugee crisis if Syria’s second city fell into their hands.
Jordan recalls envoy to Israel over Jerusalem ‘violations’
AMMAN (Reuters) – Jordan recalled its ambassador to Israel on Wednesday in protest at an increase in Israeli “violations”, including in Jerusalem and its holy sites, the first time it has done so since the countries made peace in 1994, government offic…
