Obama tells Congress U.S. deploying up to 275 troops to Iraq
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama told Congress on Monday the United States was deploying up to 275 military personnel to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the country’s embassy in Baghdad after militants seized control of…
Two dead, 15 prisoners escape from Mali prison in gun battle
BAMAKO (Reuters) – At least two people were killed and 15 prisoners escaped after a suspected Islamist militant detainee shot his way out of the main jail in Mali’s capital Bamako on Monday, a government official said.
Iraq widens Internet blocks to disrupt insurgent communications
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iraq widened a clampdown on social media on Monday, blocking secure private communications channels to prevent Sunni militants from using them in their stunning sweep that is threatening to dismember the country.
Libya bans car traffic at night in Benghazi to stem violence
BENGHAZI Libya (Reuters) – Libya has banned overnight car traffic in the eastern city of Benghazi to try to stem rising violence and anarchy, security officials said on Monday.
Expatriate worker in Nigeria rescued a day after abduction: police
JOS Nigeria (Reuters) – A foreigner working in Nigeria was freed by security forces a day after being abducted in the central Plateau state, an official said on Monday.
Islamists kill 50 in Kenya, some during World Cup screening
MPEKETONI Kenya (Reuters) – Somali-linked Islamists have killed at least 50 people in a Kenyan coastal town, executing men in front of their families and killing others who had gathered to watch World Cup soccer on television.
Russia cuts off gas to Ukraine as Kiev orders border secured
KIEV/GORKI Russia (Reuters) – Russia cut off gas to Ukraine on Monday in a dispute over unpaid bills that could disrupt supplies to the rest of Europe and set back hopes for peace between the former Soviet neighbours.
Albanian police exchange fire with heavily armed cannabis growers
TIRANA (Reuters) – Police raided a cannabis plantation in a lawless Albanian village on Monday, exchanging fire with locals who responded with anti-tank grenades and heavy machineguns.
Egypt’s new government adds investment minister, other changes
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb appointed veteran banker Ashraf Salman as investment minister on Monday in a limited cabinet reshuffle that also replaced the foreign and international cooperation ministers.
Egypt frees Al Jazeera journalist on hunger strike
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s public prosecutor ordered the release on Monday on medical grounds of Al Jazeera journalist Abdullah Al-Shamy, who had been on hunger strike for more than 130 days in protest over his detention, a statement from the prosecutor…
