Islamic State frees Kurdish photographer in prisoner swap: press watchdog
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Islamic State militants have freed a Kurdish photographer they kidnapped last year in northeastern Syria as part of a prisoner swap with a Kurdish militia, the press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders said on Friday.
Gunmen attack police station in Burundi’s capital
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Unidentified gunmen raided a police station in the Burundian capital, police said on Friday, the latest round of violence in a country that has been convulsed by a political turmoil since April.
Boko Haram fighters kill at least 15 in Niger village raid: sources
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Islamist Boko Haram militants operating out of Nigeria raided a village across the border in southern Niger and massacred at least 15 civilians, Niger security sources said on Friday.
South Sudan army leaves Juba as peace agreement calls for: commander
JUBA (Reuters) – South Sudan’s army is moving its forces out of the country’s capital, in accordance with a peace agreement signed with rebel forces aimed at ending a conflict that erupted in December 2013, an army commander said.
Hungary seeks support for effort to block migrants entering from Croatia
VIENNA/BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary will seek support for its efforts to try to block the flood of migrants on its southern border with Croatia, similar to the measures implemented on its border with Serbia, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in Vienna o…
Top Hong Kong judges defend rule of law in face of China pressure
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Two top Hong Kong judges on Friday defended the rule of law in an apparent rebuke of China’s top official in the city who recently stoked controversy by saying Hong Kong’s China-backed leader was above the law.
South Africa recalls troops from Congo for misconduct
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa is recalling 50 soldiers from United Nations peacekeeping duties in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on charges of misconduct, the Defense Department said on Friday.
Croatia dissolves parliament, eyes elections in November
ZAGREB (Reuters) – The Croatian parliament, controlled by a center-left coalition, agreed on Friday to dissolve on Sept. 28, paving the way for the European Union’s newest member to hold a general election in November.
Iraq’s top Shi’ite cleric says snubbing reforms will revive protests
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s most influential Shi’ite Muslim cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, reaffirmed on Friday the need for economic and administrative reforms and warned delays would spark a stronger reaction from the streets.
Using fawning foreign students, China tries to polish its image
BEIJING (Reuters) – Faced with a patchy image abroad, China is adopting an unusual tactic in its propaganda campaign: using bright-eyed foreign students to burnish its reputation.
