Russia: Iran was spooked by reports of U.S. F-35s when it downed airliner
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that Iran’s accidental shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner last week occurred at a time when Tehran was spooked by reports of advanced U.S. stealth fighters in the area.
Ashes to bricks: Philippine city helps others rebuild after volcano
A Philippine city shrouded in ash from the nearby Taal volcano has turned adversity into an opportunity to help neighboring towns hit by the natural disaster.
Burundi’s mass graves reopen old wounds
Twenty-six years ago, Prosper saw Burundian soldiers take away his brother and nephew. Neighbors told him soldiers had also discovered his mother in a house where she had been hiding. None were ever seen again.
Having fled bombing, Syrian children learn to read in tent schools
Syrian teacher Ahmad al Hilal listens to his young pupils sitting on a mat reciting the Arabic alphabet in a makeshift school in a tent on the outskirts of a sprawling refugee camp city along the Turkish border.
Iran can take fight beyond its borders, Khamenei says in rare sermon
The Revolutionary Guards can take their fight beyond Iran’s borders, the supreme leader said on Friday, responding to the U.S. killing of his country’s most prominent commander and to anti-government unrest at home over the downing of an airliner.
Art lovers face Louvre lock-out as staff join pension strike
Tourists were turned away from the Louvre on Friday as striking staff blocked the entrance to the world’s most-visited museum.
France deploys radar system in Saudi Arabia to ‘reassure’ kingdom
France has deployed a radar system on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia to beef up its ally’s defenses after missile attacks on the kingdom’s oil infrastructure in September, French officials said.
UK will not automatically deport EU nationals after Brexit: Verhofstadt
Britain will not automatically deport European Union citizens who have not applied for the right to remain in the country after Brexit, European Parliament Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt said on Friday.
Guatemalan president declares state of alert in two municipalities
New Guatemalan president Alejandro Giammattei on Friday declared a state of alert in two municipalities on the fringe of Guatemala City that have been plagued by gang violence, underlining his pledge to get tough on crime.
Syria truce fails as Idlib civilians killed daily: U.N.
United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet called on Friday for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Syria’s opposition-held Idlib province, saying the latest ceasefire attempt had yet again failed to protect civilians.
