Hardline preacher finds refuge in Malaysia as politicized Islam grows
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – When Zakir Naik emerged from a prominent Malaysian mosque last month fans swarmed about him, seeking selfies with the Indian Muslim televangelist whose hardline views have sparked a criminal investigation back in his home count…
A century on, UK’s Jewish homeland declaration stirs celebration and mourning in Middle East
LONDON/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – In a 67-word statement composed 100 years ago, Britain endorsed the establishment of a Jewish homeland in the Middle East, triggering a process that would culminate in the creation of Israel – and with it one of the world’s…
Niger asks U.S. to deploy armed drones against militants
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Niger has asked the United States to start using armed drones against jihadist groups operating on the Mali border, raising the stakes in a counterinsurgency campaign jolted by a deadly ambush of allied U.S.-Nigerien forces.
China’s Xi says hopes to promote relations with North Korea: KCNA
SEOUL/BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s congratulatory message on China’s Communist Party Congress, saying he hopes to promote ties between the two countries, North Korea’s state news agency s…
Asylum seekers barricaded in Papua New Guinea camp call for aid
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Asylum seekers refusing to leave a detention centre in Papua New Guinea began digging wells on Thursday to try find water as their food supplies dwindled, in a stand-off that human rights groups warn could become a humanitarian crisi…
UK seeks arrest of Manchester bomber’s brother, asks Libya to extradite him
LONDON (Reuters) – British police said on Wednesday they had issued an arrest warrant for the brother of a suicide bomber who killed 22 people in an attack on a pop concert in Manchester in May and prosecutors had asked Libya to extradite him.
Britain’s defense minister resigns in growing harassment scandal
LONDON (Reuters) – British defense minister Michael Fallon quit on Wednesday saying his conduct had fallen below the high standards demanded of his position, the first resignation in a sexual harassment scandal in parliament.
U.S. judge frees Indonesian immigrant held by Trump order
BOSTON (Reuters) – A U.S. judge on Wednesday ordered the release of an illegal immigrant who is among 47 Indonesians in New Hampshire challenging the Trump administration’s order to deport them.
Iraq threatens to resume military operations against Kurds
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi forces threatened on Wednesday to resume operations to capture northern Kurdish-held territory after accusing authorities there of delaying handing over control of Iraq’s borders with Turkey, Iran and Syria.
Ousted Catalan leader says will not return to Spain to testify
MADRID (Reuters) – Dismissed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont said on Wednesday he would ignore a court order to return to Spain to answer charges over the region’s push for independence, but he could testify from Belgium.
