Exclusive: U.N. experts wary of Somaliland plan for armed oil protection unit
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.N. experts warn that plans by Somalia’s breakaway enclave Somaliland to deploy special forces to protect foreign oil companies could worsen conflicts in the long unstable Horn of Africa.
IMF to double funding for Bosnia over flooding
SARAJEVO (Reuters) – The International Monetary Fund is ready to double funding for Bosnia under its standby loan deal to help it cope with the effects of the worst flooding in living memory, an IMF official told Reuters on Friday.
Monaco royals announce a baby on the way
PARIS (Reuters) – Monaco’s ruler Prince Albert and his wife Princess Charlene are expecting their first child, they announced on Friday.
Cameroon weakest link in fight against Boko Haram: Nigeria
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria’s head of counter-terrorism on Friday accused neighboring Cameroon of failing to make a serious effort to drive Boko Haram insurgents from its territory.
Hundreds protest in Sudan at opposition leader Mahdi’s arrest
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – About 600 Sudanese protesters chanted and waved banners and flags after Friday prayers in the capital Khartoum, demanding the release of opposition leader Sadiq al-Mahdi who was arrested two weeks ago.
In dig at China, Japan PM says supports SE Asia on freedom of sea, air
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, pushing for a greater role for Japan in regional security, said on Friday that Tokyo would offer its “utmost support” to Southeast Asian countries, several of which are locked in maritime disputes with i…
Formal countdown begins for Scottish vote that could break up United Kingdom
EDINBURGH (Reuters) – The formal campaign for a Scottish independence vote that could break-up the United Kingdom began on Friday, although polls currently show Scots are unlikely to choose to end the 307-year-old union with England.
Merkel faces German backlash for ignoring voters on EU top job
BERLIN (Reuters) – Angela Merkel’s lukewarm support for Jean-Claude Juncker as the next president of the European Commission has put the normally popular chancellor at the center of a furious debate in Germany, where she is accused of ignoring the will…
Central African Republic leader denounces plot, peacekeepers kill two
BANGUI (Reuters) – The Central African Republic’s interim president accused armed groups on Friday of seeking to destabilise her government, as two people were shot dead by Burundian peacekeepers in a second day of violent protests in Bangui.
Egypt revokes 52 Mursi-era pardons: state media
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s interim president has revoked amnesties for 52 people pardoned by ousted president Mohamed Mursi, state media reported, including Islamists affiliated with the banned Muslim Brotherhood.
