Morocco claims success in reducing illegal migration to Spain
Moroccan authorities have succeeded in slowing the rate of illegal migration into Spain in recent months after a crackdown on smuggling networks, Morocco’s migration and border control chief said on Friday, unveiling new figures to Reuters.
Tens of thousands march to demand change in Algeria
Tens of thousands of protesters demanding the removal of Algeria’s ruling elite gathered in the capital Algiers for a 12th successive Friday, defying attempts by the army to ease tensions ahead of presidential election.
South Africa’s ANC headed for election victory but support ebbs
The African National Congress was headed for victory in South Africa’s election on Friday, although the party was on course for its worst performance since it took power 25 years ago.
U.S. warns merchant ships of possible Iranian attacks in Middle East
U.S. commercial ships including oil tankers sailing through key Middle East waterways could be targeted by Iran in one of the threats to U.S. interests posed by Tehran, the U.S. Maritime Administration said in an advisory.
French military frees hostages in Burkina Faso, two commandos killed
French commandos rescued four foreign hostages including two French citizens from a militant group in Burkina Faso, France’s military said on Friday, adding that two of the elite soldiers were killed in the night-time operation.
Amid outcry over Yemen war, Saudi ship leaves France without arms cargo
A Saudi vessel that had been due to load weapons at a northern French port on Friday set sail without them and headed for Spain, a day after a rights group tried to block the cargo on humanitarian grounds.
G7 countries to simulate cross-border cyber attack next month: France
Leading Western industrial powers will for the first time jointly simulate a major cross-border cyber security attack on the financial sector next month, French officials said on Friday.
Iran Guards reject U.S. talks, cleric threatens carrier
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Friday Tehran would not negotiate with the United States and a senior cleric warned that a U.S. Navy fleet could be “destroyed with one missile”, as a U.S aircraft carrier headed toward the Gulf.
Sri Lanka army chief says threat of more Islamist militant attacks contained
Sri Lanka’s army commander Mahesh Senanayake said the threat of more Islamist militant attacks had been contained and the security services had dismantled most of the network linked to the Easter Sunday bombings.
More Catalans oppose independence than support it for first time since referendum: poll
More Catalans oppose independence from Spain than support it, a poll showed on Friday – the first such result since before October 2017 when the region narrowly voted in favor of secession in a referendum that national authorities banned.
