Kenya raids Norway-flagged ship seeking smuggled drugs
MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) – Kenyan soldiers and security services cordoned off East Africa’s main port for hours on Friday and raided a Norwegian-flagged ship suspected of carrying drugs and firearms, police and officials said.
Syrian jets pound Islamic State-held areas for second day
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian army jets carried out at least 25 air strikes on the Islamic State-held city of Palmyra on Friday, a group monitoring the war said, the second intense bombardment in two days of territory held by the militants.
Burkina Faso military junta frees interim president
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) – The military junta in Burkina Faso that took power in a coup has freed interim President Michel Kafando and two of his ministers from detention, the junta’s leader said on Friday, as security forces fired in the air to quell pro…
Scottish nationalist leader says UK ‘living on borrowed time’
LONDON (Reuters) – The United Kingdom is “living on borrowed time” if the government fails to listen to Scottish voters, Scottish nationalist leader Nicola Sturgeon said on Friday, the first anniversary of an independence referendum.
Saudi Arabia warns against haj unrest as pilgrims pray for peace
MECCA (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia has warned Muslim pilgrims attending next week’s haj in Mecca to avoid exploiting Islam’s annual gathering for political reasons, reflecting its worry that turmoil in the region may prompt attacks or damaging displays ofs…
Portugal election poll shows technical draw
LISBON (Reuters) – Portugal’s opposition Socialists held a narrow lead over the ruling centre-right coalition in a poll published on Friday, which indicated the election race ahead of the Oct. 4 general vote remains in a technical draw.
Exclusive: In Niger, U.S. soldiers quietly help build wall against Boko Haram
DIFFA, Niger (Reuters) – Despite years of intimidation by the violent extremist group Boko Haram, the people of southeastern Niger’s Diffa region had never held a summit to confront the threat – perhaps with good reason.
Yemeni tribesmen’s loyalty crucial as Saudi-led forces push for Sanaa
MARIB, Yemen (Reuters) – As Gulf Arab troops push through Yemen’s central desert into the mountains that lead to the capital held by the Houthis, their Iran-allied foe, winning the hearts and minds of the heavily armed tribes who rule in this area is e…
Berlin’s Tegel airport: the never ending story?
BERLIN (Reuters) – It’s squat, ungainly and showing its age, but Berlin’s Tegel airport is still defying retirement.
As election nears, Myanmar’s reserved leader trumpets achievements
YANGON (Reuters) – For a leader non-committal about his future and sitting out Myanmar’s upcoming election, there is more than a whiff of a presidential campaign in Thein Sein’s uncharacteristic moves to flaunt his achievements.
