Syrian rebel group demands hostage swap for abducted nuns: paper
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Syrian rebel group calling itself “Free Qalamoun” has claimed the kidnapping of 12 nuns and said it wants to trade them for a thousand female detainees held by the government, a pan-Arab newspaper reported on Friday.
Italy court sentences Abu Omar to six years in prison: sources
MILAN (Reuters) – An Italian court sentenced Egyptian Muslim cleric Abu Omar to six years in prison on charges of international terrorism, legal sources said on Friday.
Flights delayed as air pollution hits record in Shanghai
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Hundreds of flights were delayed or cancelled on Friday in China’s commercial hub of Shanghai as record levels of air pollution shrouded the city in smog, prompting authorities to issue the highest level of health warning.
Russia rebukes German minister for visit to Kiev protest camp
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Friday called participation by foreign officials in the political events unfolding in Ukraine “interference”, rebuking the German foreign minister for a visit to an opposition protest camp.
Ukraine’s Yanukovich heads for talks in Russia with Putin – news agency
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich is stopping off in Russia to have talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on his way back home from an official visit to China, Ukraine’s UNIAN news agency said on Friday.
U.S. VP Biden says no tolerance for nuclear arms in N.Korea
SEOUL (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said on Friday that North Korea would never achieve prosperity as long as it continued to pursue nuclear arms, but added Washington remained open to dialogue if Pyongyang can show its willingness to honor…
Thai protest leaders refuse to give up, but streets calm
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Protesters seeking to topple Thailand’s government stayed off the street on Friday after halting their demonstration the day before out of respect for the king on his birthday but clashes were reported overnight, one at the occupied…
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov to visit Iran next week
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Iran next week to discuss issues including the interim deal reached by world powers and Tehran over its nuclear program, Russian news agencies reported on Friday.
Malaysia ruling party tightens embrace of Islam to gain support
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia’s ruling party, stung by an election setback in May, is burnishing its Islamic credentials, aiming to gain ground among majority ethnic Malay voters in a move that could heighten concern over growing religious intolera…
Pakistani immigrant sues U.S. over false arrest in war on terrorism
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec 5, Reuters – A Pakistani immigrant who says he was held for more than 10 months in solitary confinement after being falsely arrested on terrorism charges has filed a lawsuit in federal court in Miami, saying he was a victim of “overz…
