Death toll from South African mine blast rises to 18 as 13 bodies recovered
Rescuers have retrieved another 13 bodies from a disused South African coal mine following a gas blast there around two weeks ago, police said on Friday, raising the confirmed death toll to 18.
Spain’s Socialists present climate change strategy ahead of April election
Spain’s government presented a draft proposal on how to tackle climate change on Friday, less than two weeks before parliament is due to be dissolved ahead of a general election that may nix its chances of becoming law.
Swiss ex-sergeant convicted for leading Christian militia in Syria
A former Swiss soldier who commanded a Christian militia fighting Islamic State in Syria was found guilty on Friday of violating Swiss neutrality.
UK Labour leader could win back Scotland with second Brexit vote, says ex-PM Blair
British opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn could seize on a “huge opportunity” to win back key seats in its former Scottish heartland by endorsing a second vote on Brexit, former Labour prime minister Tony Blair said.
Pakistan army court-martials two senior officers for spying
Pakistan’s military is conducting court-martial proceedings against two senior officers on charges of espionage, a spokesman said on Friday, without giving details.
French troops kill senior Islamist militant in Mali: government
French troops fighting Islamist militants in Mali have killed a one of the Sahel region’s leading jihadists, France’s defense minister said on Friday.
Deep 7.5-magnitude quake hits Ecuador-Peru border region
A deep magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck the Peru-Ecuador border region early on Friday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey said, causing tremors that the Ecuadorian president said were felt around the country.
Hundreds protest in Sudan after Friday prayers
Security forces fired teargas to disperse hundreds of protesters who marched and chanted anti-government slogans following Friday prayers at a major mosque near the Sudanese capital, eyewitnesses said.
Attack on Nigeria governor’s convoy deadlier than government said: witnesses, security officials
Lying in bushes by the side of a road, the security officer played dead and hoped the militants would mistake the blood pooling from a colleague’s body as his own. He did not risk looking up to see what was happening, but he could hear.
Prayers at Jerusalem mosque end peacefully after days of tension
Prayers at the compound of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque passed off peacefully on Friday despite a week of tension over access to a corner of the compound.
