EU imposes sanctions on Ukraine rebel vote organizers
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union has imposed sanctions on the organizers of rebel elections in eastern Ukraine this month, the bloc said on Saturday, hitting the separatists and their organizations with asset freezes and travel bans.
Bombs, gunfire kill 81 at crowded mosque in Nigeria’s Kano
KANO, Nigeria (Reuters) – Gunmen set off three bombs and opened fire on worshippers at the main mosque in north Nigeria’s biggest city Kano on Friday, killing at least 81 people, witnesses and officials said, in an attack that bore the hallmarks of Isl…
Australia intercepts Sri Lankan asylum seekers, turns back most
PERTH (Reuters) – Australia has intercepted a boatload of Sri Lankan asylum seekers off the coast of Indonesia, handing back all but one to Sri Lankan authorities, who arrested them for breaching immigration laws.
Syria says U.S.-led strikes have not weakened Islamic State
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria’s foreign minister said U.S.-led air strikes had failed to weaken Islamic State it in Syria and the jihadist group would not be tackled unless Turkey was forced to tighten border controls.
Hong Kong protesters clash with police after new clampdown
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Thousands of pro-democracy activists clashed with police in running scuffles in Hong Kong’s gritty Mong Kok district early on Saturday in a bid to reclaim part of one of the city’s largest and most volatile protest sites.
Three dead in attack and Islamist protests in Egypt
CAIRO (Reuters) – Three people including an army general were killed and at least 28 wounded on Friday in militant attacks, some claimed by a group loyal to Islamic State, and clashes at Islamist protests around Egypt, security sources and health offic…
Hong Kong protesters clash with police after new clampdown
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Thousands of pro-democracy activists clashed with police in running scuffles in Hong Kong’s gritty Mong Kok district early on Saturday in a bid to reclaim part of one of the city’s largest and most volatile protest sites.
Taliban battle Afghan forces at Helmand’s Camp Bastion
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan (Reuters) – Taliban militants have launched an offensive against Afghan forces at Camp Bastion, the huge base in southern Helmand province vacated by the British military a month ago, officials said.
Bombs, gunfire kill 81 at crowded mosque in Nigeria’s Kano
KANO, Nigeria (Reuters) – Gunmen set off three bombs and opened fire on worshippers at the main mosque in north Nigeria’s biggest city Kano on Friday, killing at least 81 people, witnesses and officials said, in an attack that bore the hallmarks of Isl…
Pope condemns ‘barbaric violence’ of Islamic State
ANKARA (Reuters) – Pope Francis said on Friday fighting hunger and poverty, rather than military intervention alone, were key to stopping Islamist militants carrying out “barbaric violence” in Syria and Iraq.