Iraq to press U.S. on drones, F-16s to fight al Qaeda
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The Baghdad government wants the immediate delivery of U.S. drones and F-16 fighter jets in order to combat al Qaeda insurgents, who are making swift advances in the west of the Iraq, a senior Iraqi security official said.
Nigeria says kills 74 Islamists in ground, air assault
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Nigerian troops killed 74 members of Boko Haram in an air and ground assault, the military said on Friday, a further sign of stepped up operations against the Islamist sect.
Liberals asked to form Luxembourg government, sidelining Juncker
LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) – Xavier Bettel, the mayor of Luxembourg City, has been asked to form the next government of the tiny country, sidelining long-serving Prime Minister Jean Claude Juncker, the royal palace said.
UK’s Cameron says Snowden and media spy leaks ‘helping enemies’
LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday accused U.S. whistleblower Edward Snowden and unnamed newspapers of assisting Britain’s enemies by helping them avoid surveillance by its intelligence services.
Aid and investment at stake as Madagascar votes
ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) – The people of Madagascar voted on Friday in a presidential election they hope will end a political crisis and prompt investors and donors to return to the Indian Ocean island, four years after a coup sent its economy reeling.
Soviets conducted nuclear blasts at oilfield to be tapped with China
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Siberian oilfield that Russia and China plan to develop together was the site of Soviet nuclear blasts in the 1970s and 1980s, Russian officials said on Friday.
Czech left set to win election but new parties cloud outlook
PRAGUE (Reuters) – Czechs went to the polls on Friday in an election that will swing the nation toward the left after unpopular budget cuts and graft scandals felled a center-right government.
Rebels and Congo army clash; Rwanda says it was shelled
GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) – Congo’s M23 rebels clashed with government troops for the first time in nearly two months on Friday, and neighboring Rwanda said Congolese army shells had landed on its territory.
Pakistan extends custody of former dictator Musharraf
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – A Pakistani court extended the custody of former dictator Pervez Musharraf on Friday, dampening hopes he would be able to leave the country any time soon following months under house arrest and legal wrangling over his fate.
Hundreds of migrants rescued in sea off Italy
ROME (Reuters) – Italian navy and coast guard vessels rescued more than 700 migrants in waters between Sicily and North Africa overnight as an immigration crisis that has cost hundreds of lives this month showed no signs of abating.
