Indonesia president pledges to tackle extremism, wealth distribution
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia’s president said on Wednesday that the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country needed to pull together to meet the threat of extremism and safeguard a constitution that enshrines religious freedom and diversity.
Venezuelan protesting violinist released by authorities
CARACAS (Reuters) – A young violin player who became a symbol of anti-government protests in Venezuela was released on Tuesday after three weeks in detention, according to the country’s chief prosecutor.
Taiwan probes massive power cut that affects millions of households
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan said on Wednesday it was investigating a massive power blackout that hit businesses and residential homes, affecting close to seven million households on the heavily industrialized island amid sweltering heat.
Mexican judge orders investigation of inquiries into extrajudicial killings
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – A Mexican judge has ordered the country’s attorney general to investigate possible negligence in inquiries conducted into extrajudicial executions allegedly committed by the military in 2014, according to a decision announced on…
War room 2.0? U.S. Air Force upgrades Middle East command center
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar (Reuters) – With its wall-sized screens simultaneously showing America’s air wars in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, this war room at the heart of America’s biggest military campaigns is already something of a technological marvel…
Britain seeks Brexit without borders for Northern Ireland
LONDON/DUBLIN (Reuters) – Britain has said there should be no border posts or immigration checks between Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland after Brexit, in a paper that attempts to resolve one of the most complex aspects of its depar…
Tillerson raps some U.S. allies for religious freedom violations, slams IS
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. allies including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain did not uphold principles of religious freedom in 2016, while Islamic State has carried out “genocide” against religious minorities, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Tuesday….
Brazil lawmakers seek $1 billion in taxpayer money for election campaigns
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian lawmakers facing a dearth of financing for their re-election campaigns next year proposed on Tuesday creating a fund of 3.6 billion reais ($1.1 billion) in taxpayer money to help their parties foot the bills.
Colombia’s FARC rebels turned in more than 8,000 weapons: U.N.
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s Marxist FARC rebel group handed in more than 8,000 weapons and nearly 1.3 million pieces of ammunition as it demobilized after a peace deal with the government, the United Nations said.
Jordan holds local elections in step to devolve powers
AMMAN (Reuters) – Jordan held local elections on Tuesday in a move officials say will help devolve some powers to larger cities and underdeveloped rural regions but which critics say falls short of promised wider political reform.
