RWANDA FREES OPPN LEADER, 2,100 OTHERS

KIGALI: One of Rwanda’s most prominent opposition leaders walked free on Saturday after the government approved the early release of more than 2,100 prisoners with little explanation. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, head of the Fdu-inkingi opposition party, was arrested in 2010 and found guilty of conspiracy to undermine the government and denying Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, charges that she denied. AP

At least 13 people dead in Indonesia ferry accident

JAKARTA: At least 13 people have been killed and eight were missing after a ferry caught fire and sank in central Indonesia, an official said on Saturday. The boat was believed to be carrying nearly 150 passengers off the coast of Sulawesi province on Friday when the blaze started. High waves hampered initial rescue efforts but 126 people had been saved by Saturday afternoon.

Afghan military helicopter crashes, all 5 aboard dead

KABUL: A helicopter carrying security forces crashed in western Afghanistan, killing all five people on board, including the pilot, officials said on Saturday.the latest crash was caused by technical difficulties rather than a militant attack, said Naser Mehri, a spokesman for the governor of Farah province. REUTERS

Russia holds naval drills in Sea of Japan

KLERK PENINSULA: Russian troops taking part in the country’s largest-ever war games on Saturday held drills in the Sea of Japan, despite Tokyo’s concerns about a Russian military buildup in the area. The exercises were part of the Vostok-18, or East-18, war games that kicked off in eastern Russia on September 11 and will run until Monday.