Egypt’s Nour Party rejects move against religious parties
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s second biggest Islamist party, Nour, on Friday rejected proposed changes to the constitution that would outlaw parties founded on religious grounds, and called the move a “sword drawn” against Islamists.
Sudanese police fire teargas as crowds demand Bashir resign
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Police fired teargas on Friday to disperse thousands of Sudanese demanding that President Omar Hassan al-Bashir step down, a day after clashes in which rights groups accused security forces of shooting dead at least 50 people.
Japan’s Abe says no concessions, but no escalation in islet spat with China
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Japan will make no concessions on sovereignty over Pacific islets also claimed by China, but will not make any moves to escalate the situation, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Friday.
Brazil polls show Rousseff’s popularity still on the rebound
BRASILIA (Reuters) – President Dilma Rousseff continues to recover popularity lost after the massive protests that shook Brazil in June, bolstering her chances of re-election next year, two polls published on Friday showed.
Israeli forces clash with Palestinians over al-Aqsa visits
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli police clashed with Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem’s Old City, the occupied West Bank and Gaza on Friday, reflecting growing tensions over an increase in Jewish visits to the al-Aqsa mosque compound.
At least three killed in explosion at Paris work site
PARIS (Reuters) – At least three people were killed on Friday in a large explosion on a work site in central Paris which the fire brigade said was likely an accident caused by a fuel tank igniting.
U.N. probing more Syria chemical attacks, inspections to start
BEIRUT (Reuters) – U.N. chemical weapons inspectors in Syria are investigating seven cases of alleged chemical or biological weapons use, including three incidents around Damascus after the August 21 attack which almost triggered U.S. air strikes.
Russia’s jailed punk band member hospitalized, husband says
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A jailed member of Russian punk band Pussy Riot was hospitalized on Friday after going on a hunger strike to protest prison conditions, her husband said, but her condition was not clear.
Maldives cancels presidential run-off election
MALE (Reuters) – The Maldives has cancelled a presidential run-off election that was due to take place on Saturday after the Supreme Court ordered officials to postpone it.
Life in limbo for the displaced of Damascus
DAMASCUS (Reuters) – Last winter Abu Bassim fled with his wife and four children from heavy fighting in the southeastern suburbs of Damascus to seek refuge in his sister’s house on the other side of the capital.
