Gunmen hold Yemeni official to try to derail new constitution
SANAA (Reuters) – Yemen’s Houthi militia seized a top official on Saturday and threatened unspecified further steps to derail a proposed new constitution in a wrangle for power that threatens to bring down the government, raising fears al Qaeda could b…
Morocco says it breaks up militant cell recruiting for ISIS
RABAT (Reuters) – Morocco said on Saturday it had dismantled an Islamist militant cell sending fighters to Syria and Iraq to join Islamic State and mount attacks on returning home.
Lord’s Resistance Army commander handed to global court
BANGUI/KAMPALA (Reuters) – A senior commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has been handed over to International Criminal Court representatives in Central African Republic and will be transferred to the Hague-based tribunal in days, officials sa…
Madagascar’s PM sworn in despite pending legal challenge
ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) – Jean Ravelonarivo, an air force commander and businessman, was sworn in as Madagascar’s new prime minister on Saturday promising to get to work swiftly although a legal challenge by a former president still hangs over his appoi…
Austria mulls quitting Saudi-backed religious center in Vienna
VIENNA (Reuters) – Chancellor Werner Faymann has called for Austria to withdraw from a Saudi-sponsored religious dialogue center in Vienna that has become embroiled in controversy over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
Journalist’s jailing casts spotlight on media freedom in Macedonia
SKOPJE (Reuters) – A Macedonian journalist has been jailed after being convicted of revealing the identity of a protected witness in a murder trial, a ruling condemned by rights groups concerned over deteriorating media freedoms in the ex-Yugoslav repu…
Channel Tunnel closed after truck fire
PARIS/LONDON (Reuters) – The Channel Tunnel operator evacuated a shuttle train and closed the subsea crossing on Saturday due to a truck fire, British police said, adding that there were no reported injuries.
Venezuela moves opposition ex-mayor from jail to home arrest
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan judicial authorities have allowed a former opposition mayor jailed during a wave of anti-government protests in 2014 to swap his cell for house arrest because of poor health.
Islamic State targeted in 29 airstrikes in Syria, Iraq: joint task force
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and its allies conducted 29 airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq in a 24-hour period, the Combined Joint Task Force said in a statement on Saturday.
Somali PM given two more weeks to form cabinet, extending drift
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somalia’s new prime minister was on Saturday given two more weeks to present a new cabinet to parliament after lawmakers rejected his first list, extending a period of drift in government that donors say is hurting recovery effort…
