U.N. says Gambia blocks investigators probing torture and killings
GENEVA (Reuters) – Gambia has blocked United Nations human rights investigators from completing an investigation into torture and killings during the first ever visit to the West African country by U.N. experts, the world body said on Friday.
U.N. women’s rights panel accuses China of harassing activists
GENEVA (Reuters) – A United Nations women’s rights watchdog has accused China of trying to silence activists and said some who had come to Geneva to testify about the country’s record “fear reprisals” upon return.
No U.S.-Iran military coordination against Islamic State: Rice
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. national security adviser Susan Rice said on Friday the United States is not engaged in military coordination with Iran in countering Islamic State forces in the Middle East.
Iraq’s top cleric says graft in army helped Islamic State
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s most influential Shi’ite cleric said on Friday corruption in the armed forces had enabled Islamic State to seize much of northern Iraq, criticism that will add to pressure for reforms in the face of an insurgency.
Russian charged in Afghan attack pleads not guilty in U.S. court
RICHMOND Va. (Reuters) – A former Russian army officer pleaded not guilty on Friday to terrorism charges for a 2009 attack on U.S. and Afghan forces, and a U.S. District Court judge set trial for April 2015.
Mauritius sets Dec. 10 date for parliamentary election
PORT LOUIS (Reuters) – Mauritius will hold a parliamentary election on Dec. 10, the presidency said on Friday, with two coalitions fighting to secure a majority of seats in the national assembly.
Senior al Qaeda leader killed in south Yemen: officials
ADEN (Reuters) – Yemeni security forces killed a senior al Qaeda leader in a raid in southern Yemen, officials said on Friday, a few days after senior members of the militant group were killed in U.S. drone strikes.
Suicide bomber kills at least 7 at bank in northeast Nigeria
DAMATURU Nigeria (Reuters) – A suicide bomber killed at least 7 people outside a commercial bank in a northeast Nigerian town on Friday, the latest suspected attack by Islamist Boko Haram insurgents, police and local residents said.
Somali PM to face ‘no confidence’ vote, donors fear instability
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somalia’s prime minister will face a ‘no confidence’ vote next week, a lawmaker said on Friday, as frustrated donors voiced concerns over another bout of political infighting which could slow an economic recovery from more than tw…
Exclusive: U.S. eyes China partnership on Africa power – sources
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – The United States is considering partnering with China on improving electricity in Africa and the proposal could be part of bilateral discussions when President Barack Obama visits Beijing next week, two sources involved told R…
