Venezuela opposition coalition split ahead of new vote
CARACAS/MARACAIBO, Venezuela (Reuters) – One of Venezuela’s major opposition parties has decided to run in local elections next month despite a boycott by others, deepening a split in the Democratic Unity coalition to the glee of President Nicolas Madu…
U.S. carries out strikes against Islamic State in Somalia
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States carried out two airstrikes targeting Islamic State militants in northeastern Somalia, the U.S. military said on Friday, believed to be the first such strikes against the militant group in the country.
Syrian government forces will march to Raqqa soon, Iranian official says
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian government forces will advance soon to take Raqqa city, which U.S.-backed fighters seized from Islamic State last month, a senior Iranian official said on Friday.
Brother of Toulouse jihadist faces appeal against murder acquittal
PARIS (Reuters) – The brother of a French Islamist who shot dead seven people in 2012 will face an appeal against his acquittal on charges of conspiracy to murder, Paris prosecutors said on Friday.
Islamic State on verge of defeat after fresh losses in Syria, Iraq
BEIRUT/ERBIL (Reuters) – Islamic State’s self-proclaimed caliphate was on the verge of final defeat on Friday, with Syrian government forces capturing its last major city on one side of the border and Iraqi forces taking its last substantial town on th…
Ousted Catalan leader says ready to stand in snap regional election
MADRID/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, who left Spain for Belgium after his government was sacked following a declaration of independence, said on Friday he was ready to stand in a snap election in the region next month…
Nigeria’s ‘Delta Avengers’ militants end oil hub ceasefire
LAGOS (Reuters) – A Nigerian militant group whose attacks on energy facilities in the Niger Delta last year helped push Africa’s biggest economy into recession said on Friday it had ended its ceasefire.
Zambian president warns judges of chaos if they block his re-election
LUSAKA (Reuters) – Zambian President Edgar Lungu has warned constitutional court judges not to stop him running for another term in office, state media reported, drawing a rebuke from a top legal body.
U.S. strikes target Islamic State militants in Somalia: official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States carried out two airstrikes targeting Islamic State militants in Somalia, a U.S. official said on Friday, believed to be the first such strikes against the militant group in the country.
Merkel says three-way coalition can work, Greens skeptical
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed confidence on Friday that her conservatives can reach a coalition deal with the Greens and pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), but her would-be partners say the talks could still fail.
