China arrests prominent human rights lawyer in case watched by West
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese police said on Friday they had arrested a prominent human rights lawyers on charges of causing a disturbance and illegal access to personal information, in a case that has sparked an outcry among rights workers in China and …
Some abducted schoolgirls may never return: Nigerian ex-president
ABUJA (Reuters) – Some of the schoolgirls abducted by militant group Boko Haram may never return home, Nigeria’s influential former president Olusegun Obasanjo said, in some of the most pessimistic comments yet on their fate from a member of the countr…
Dressed for cycling, Egypt’s Sisi calls for help on fuel subsidies
CAIRO (Reuters) – Wearing sporting gear including cycling gloves, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi asked Egyptians on Friday to cycle and walk more to help the cash-strapped government that spends tens of billions of dollars a year on fuel subsidies.
Nigeria military studies Sri Lankan tactics for use against Boko Haram
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria is studying the military tactics used by Sri Lanka to crush the rebel Tamil Tigers for its own battle against Islamist group Boko Haram, the defense ministry said, after holding talks with officials from the island nation.
Afghans prepare to vote again: Abdullah vs. Ghani
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghans head to the polls on Saturday for the second time in 10 weeks to elect a president who will take office as most foreign forces prepare to leave after nearly 13 years of inconclusive war.
Ukraine suggests compromise gas price in row with Russia
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine said on Friday it was ready to pay a compromise price for Russian natural gas for 18 months to avert the threat of Moscow cutting off supplies and allow time to reach a long-term pricing agreement.
Tunisian police kill two Islamist militants near Algerian border
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisian police killed two Islamist militants during clashes near the Algerian border and seized weapons and bombs, the government said on Friday, two weeks after Islamists attacked a government minister’s home in one of their boldest attacks.
Exclusive: Alarmed by Iraq, Iran open to shared role with U.S. – Iran official
ANKARA (Reuters) – Shi’te Muslim Iran is so alarmed by Sunni insurgent gains in Iraq that it may be willing to cooperate with Washington in helping Baghdad fight back, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.
Pakistan fighting drives families over border into Afghanistan
KABUL (Reuters) – Hundreds of Pakistani families have fled from a surge of fighting between Pakistani government forces and militants into neighboring Afghanistan, an Afghan government official said on Friday.
Interim Thai government by August: military leader
BANGKOK (Reuters) – The head of the junta that seized power in Thailand last month said on Friday that an interim government would be set up by August, the first time he has given a clear date on delegating any sort of power in the country.