Afghan air force ascent slow, imperiling battle with Taliban
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan’s armed forces are so short of combat-ready aircraft that, late last year, they began fitting machine guns and rockets to Russian-made Mi-17 transport helicopters, dubbed “flying tractors”, to bolster their air power.
Three Malian soldiers killed in clash with gunmen in north
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Unidentified gunmen clashed with Malian security forces in the northern region of Timbuktu on Sunday, killing at least three soldiers, officials said.
U.N. to hold new Libya talks, gunmen kidnap deputy foreign minister
BENGHAZI/TRIPOLI (Reuters) – A new round of talks between rival Libyan factions will take place in Geneva on Monday, the United Nations said, even as gunmen kidnapped the deputy foreign minister of the recognised government.
At least 17 killed in protests on anniversary of Egypt uprising
CAIRO (Reuters) – At least 17 people were killed on Sunday in Egypt’s bloodiest protests since Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was elected president, as security forces fired at protesters marking the anniversary of the 2011 uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak.
Tunisia new government faces resistance before ratification vote
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia’s Islamist party Ennahda, which holds the second largest number of seats in parliament, said on Sunday it would reject a government proposed last week by Prime Minister-designate Habib Essid, complicating his cabinet’s ratific…
Madagascar names new ministers amid public grumbles over blackouts
ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) – Madagascar’s president announced the replacement of eight ministers late on Sunday, including a new finance minister, after the government was dissolved earlier this month amid mounting public frustration over power cuts and ot…
Congo parliament passes election law stripped of census requirement
KINSHASA (Reuters) – Democratic Republic of Congo’s parliament gave final approval on Sunday to an electoral law shorn of a controversial provision that risked delaying a vote due in 2016 and had triggered days of deadly protests.
Nigeria repels suspected Boko Haram attack on Maiduguri city
MAIDUGURI/BAUCHI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Nigeria’s military repelled multiple attacks by suspected Boko Haram militants on Borno state capital Maiduguri in the northeast, security sources said on Sunday, but the insurgents captured another Borno town.
German anti-Islam rally shrinks, first since leader resigned
DRESDEN, Germany (Reuters) – The number of anti-Islam protesters who turned out for a rally in the east German city of Dresden shrank from a record two weeks ago when turnout was likely boosted by the Islamist militant attack on French satirical newspa…
Canada to unveil new security legislation after 2014 attacks: PM
TORONTO (Reuters) – Canada will introduce new legislation aimed at giving more powers to its police and security agencies in the wake of two attacks by Muslim converts last year, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Sunday.
