Malaysia’s Mahathir bars former PM from leaving the country
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad barred his predecessor, Najib Razak, from going overseas on Saturday, saying there was enough evidence to investigate his links to a multi-billion-dollar scandal.
Iraqis vote as Abadi seeks to fend off Iran-backed rivals
BAGHDAD/MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqis voted on Saturday for the first time since the defeat of Islamic State, with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, a rare ally of both the United States and Iran, trying to fend off powerful Shi’ite groups that would pu…
Israel closes Gaza border crossing damaged by Palestinians
GAZA (Reuters) – Israel closed a main border crossing with the Gaza Strip and destroyed a Hamas militant tunnel on Saturday, a day after renewed violence between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces on the edge of the coastal enclave.
Iran foreign minister sets off on tour to save nuclear deal
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran’s foreign minister embarks on a tour of world powers on Saturday, state media reported, in what is seen as a last-ditch effort to save Tehran’s nuclear deal after Washington’s withdrawal from the accord.
Madagascar president lifts restrictions on opposition candidates
ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) – Madagascar’s president approved a new election law lifting a provision that would have prevented the main opposition candidate from standing for office, which had provoked a political crisis and deadly street demonstrations.
Greece, Macedonia race to end name row before EU summit
SOUNION, Greece (Reuters) – Foreign Ministers of Greece and Macedonia met in the presence of a UN envoy on Saturday, in an attempt to bridge their differences in a decades-old dispute over the name of the former Yugoslav Republic before an EU summit ne…
Malaysia’s Mahathir announces top cabinet picks, bars former PM from leaving
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced his top cabinet picks on Saturday and barred his predecessor, Najib Razak, from going overseas, saying there was enough evidence to investigate his links to a multi-billion-do…
Italian tribunal lifts ban on Berlusconi holding public office
ROME (Reuters) – An Italian tribunal has lifted a ban on veteran center-right leader Silvio Berlusconi from holding public office, meaning he could run to be prime minister in the next national election.
Iran urges Muslims to develop sciences to shake off U.S. hegemony
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday called for unity among Muslims and efforts toward scientific advancement, saying this would make it impossible for “enemies” such as the United States to dominate Islamic count…
U.S. fighter jets intercept Russian bombers in international airspace off Alaska
(Reuters) – Two U.S. fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers in international airspace off the coast of Alaska on Friday.
