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.
Russia ready to consider sending troops to Syria if Damascus asks: Kremlin
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia would consider a request from Syria to send troops if Damascus asks for it, the Kremlin’s spokesman said on Friday.
Lebanese journalist convicted of defying Hague court order
THE HAGUE (Reuters) – An international court in The Hague on Friday found that a Lebanese journalist had exposed witnesses in the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and defied a court order to remove the material from a website…
Venezuela fighter jet crashes near Colombia border
CARACAS (Reuters) – A Venezuelan fighter jet with two people on board crashed near the Colombian border late on Thursday evening after an “illicit aircraft” believed to be Colombian was found violating airspace, according to the Venezuelan government.
China ‘extremely concerned’ by proposed U.S. challenge to claims
BEIJING (Reuters) – China said on Friday it was “extremely concerned” about a suggestion from a top U.S. commander that U.S. ships and aircraft should challenge China’s claims in the South China Sea by patrolling close to artificial islands it has buil…
