AFP, Cairo
Media in Egypt faces increased scrutiny and restrictions by authorities ahead of a presidential election this month incumbent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will dominate, critics say.
The president, addressing media, warned on Thursday against “defamation” of security forces, a day after his prosecution warned it would take legal action against “false news.”
Storm lashing US Northeast, kills 5
Reuters, Boston
A powerful storm lashing the northeastern United States on Friday killed at least five people as winds topping 80 miles per hour (129 km per hour) helped flood streets in Boston, ground flights and halt train service across the region. Almost 1.7 million homes and businesses were without power in the Northeast and Midwest as the storm pummeled the East Coast from Virginia to Maine. Government offices in Washington closed as winds gusted to more than 60 mph (96 kph) in the U.S. capital.
Avalanche kills 4 skiers in France
AP, Paris
Four skiers were killed and another injured in an avalanche in the French Alps on Friday and their guide was held for questioning, authorities said.
The group of six people was on a ski touring expedition in an off-trail area near Entraunes, close to the Italian border in the southern Alps. The identities of the skiers were not immediately released. Prosecutor Jean-Michel Pretre of Nice said in remarks shown on French television that they were “seniors,” all with experience in backcountry skiing. He said the guide knew the area well.
China issues yellow alert for fog
Xinhua, Beijing
China’s national observatory issued a yellow alert on Saturday as fog lingered in southern and central China.
Heavy fog will affect parts of Anhui, Fujian, Henan, Sichuan, Hubei, and Jiangxi provinces, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC). In some areas of Henan, Hubei, Anhui, and Sichuan, visibility will be reduced to less than 200 meters.
