Islamic State shores up last stronghold on Syria-Iraq border
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Islamic State is building up its defenses in a pocket of territory on the Syrian-Iraqi frontier, the U.S.-led coalition said on Friday, in an anticipation of assaults by Syrian and Iraqi forces aiming to snuff out the jihadists’ last…
Catalonia declares independence from Spain, direct Madrid rule looms
BARCELONA/MADRID (Reuters) – The Spanish government moved to impose direct rule over Catalonia on Friday, stripping the region of its autonomy less than an hour after its parliament declared independence in a stunning show of defiance to Madrid.
Iraqi forces, Kurdish Peshmerga agree on ceasefire, Kurdistan says
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters reached an agreement on Friday to stop fighting in northern Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said, although the status of any ceasefire remained unclear.
Out of Russian custody, Tatar leaders vow to return to Crimea
KIEV (Reuters) – Two Crimean Tatar activists released from Russian custody this week said on Friday they would travel back to the annexed peninsula and campaign for the freedom of other political prisoners and the return of Crimea to Ukraine.
Islamic State guerrilla attacks point to its future strategy
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian and Iraqi forces closing in on the last scraps of Islamic State’s caliphate straddling the remote border area between the two countries have already witnessed the jihadists’ likely response.
Leave the past behind, Bulgarian PM tells Balkan leaders
SARAJEVO (Reuters) – Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the European Union should leave the past behind and solve their mutual problems first, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Friday.
Catalonia or Neverland? Humor relieves tension in Spain
MADRID (Reuters) – Shortly after the Catalan government defied Madrid and held a referendum on independence, Jaume Vives held his own “vote” on whether to separate his central Barcelona balcony from “this Catalonia of madmen”.
Catalan parliament votes to start ‘constituent process’ to split from Spain
MADRID (Reuters) – The regional parliament of Catalonia on Friday voted a motion to begin a “constituent process” to split from Spain shortly before beginning a secret vote on whether or not to declare independence from the rest of the country.
Kenya opposition wants vote planned for Saturday canceled
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya’s main opposition party warned the election commission against reorganizing voting in four western counties where polls did not open on Thursday due to violence and said supporters should boycott any process that goes ahead.
Copies of Koran, boots and scarves all that remain in Philippine rebel leader’s lair
MARAWI CITY, Philippines (Reuters) – Prayer mats, chequered scarves, black fatigues, and bullet-ridden walls mark the hideout where the “emir” of Islamic State in Southeast Asia spent months preparing the most brazen and devastating militant attack in …
