Iraqi Kurdish leader Barzani to step down

ERBIL (Iraq) • Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani yesterday confirmed his intention to step down and asked Parliament to take steps to fill the presidential power vacuum.

Meeting in the Kurdish capital Erbil, Parliament was informed of a letter sent by Mr Barzani seeking not to extend his term beyond Wednesday.

REUTERS

Obama to fulfil jury duty in Illinois in Nov

WASHINGTON • Former US president Barack Obama has been summoned for jury duty next month in Illinois, his home state - and he plans to show up, a court official said. The date or location of his expected appearance was, however, not specified.

NYTIMES

Heathrow launches probe over USB drive

LONDON • Heathrow Airport has launched an internal investigation after a memory stick containing extensive security information was found on a London street.

The USB drive contained dozens of folders with maps, videos and documents - some marked confidential or restricted - detailing security at Europe's busiest airport, according to the Sunday Mirror newspaper.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

British navy sacks 9 sailors for drug use

LONDON • Britain's navy has fired nine sailors serving on a nuclear-armed submarine after they tested positive for using cocaine .

The crew were from HMS Vigilant, one of four Royal Navy submarines which operate the Trident nuclear missile system. The submarine's commander has also been relieved of his command pending investigation.

REUTERS