Ukrainian rebels launch new attacks

DONETSK, Ukraine – Pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine rejected a previously signed peace deal Friday and announced a new multi-pronged offensive against Ukrainian government troops.

The main separatist leader in the Donetsk region said the insurgents won’t join further peace talks, and another rebel went even further, saying they will not abide by a peace deal signed in September.

Separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko said rebel fighters launched the new offensive to gain more territory and forestall a Ukrainian attack. He declared they will push the government troops to the border of the separatist Donetsk region.

French aid worker freed by kidnappers

BANGUI, Central African Republic – A French aid worker kidnapped in Central African Republic has been released, France’s foreign minister said Friday.

Laurent Fabius did not give details about the release, but thanked Central African Republic authorities and especially the archbishop of the country’s capital for their help.

Claudia Priest, 67, was working for Catholic medical organization CODIS and was kidnapped along with a local co-worker when the fighters seized their vehicle full of medicine and medical kits, according to their driver.

Thousands protest upheaval in Yemen

SANAA, Yemen – Thousands of protesters demonstrated Friday across Yemen, some supporting the Shiite rebels who seized the capital and others demanding the country’s south secede after the nation’s president and Cabinet resigned.

President Abed Rabbo Hadi, a U.S. ally in its campaign against Yemen’s local al-Qaida branch, stepped down Thursday with his Cabinet over the pressures by Houthi rebels who demanded a bigger share of government power. A faction of southerners, who oppose the Shiite power grab and live in what was a separate country until 1990, have seized the opportunity to press independence.

Associated Press