Austria mulls quitting Saudi-backed religious center in Vienna
VIENNA (Reuters) – Chancellor Werner Faymann has called for Austria to withdraw from a Saudi-sponsored religious dialogue center in Vienna that has become embroiled in controversy over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
Journalist’s jailing casts spotlight on media freedom in Macedonia
SKOPJE (Reuters) – A Macedonian journalist has been jailed after being convicted of revealing the identity of a protected witness in a murder trial, a ruling condemned by rights groups concerned over deteriorating media freedoms in the ex-Yugoslav repu…
Channel Tunnel closed after truck fire
PARIS/LONDON (Reuters) – The Channel Tunnel operator evacuated a shuttle train and closed the subsea crossing on Saturday due to a truck fire, British police said, adding that there were no reported injuries.
Venezuela moves opposition ex-mayor from jail to home arrest
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan judicial authorities have allowed a former opposition mayor jailed during a wave of anti-government protests in 2014 to swap his cell for house arrest because of poor health.
Islamic State targeted in 29 airstrikes in Syria, Iraq: joint task force
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and its allies conducted 29 airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq in a 24-hour period, the Combined Joint Task Force said in a statement on Saturday.
Somali PM given two more weeks to form cabinet, extending drift
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somalia’s new prime minister was on Saturday given two more weeks to present a new cabinet to parliament after lawmakers rejected his first list, extending a period of drift in government that donors say is hurting recovery effort…
China’s Xi congratulates new chairman of Taiwan’s ruling party
TAIPEI/SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China’s President Xi Jinping on Saturday welcomed the election of Eric Chu as chairman of Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang party, the Xinhua news agency reported, which quoted Xi saying he hoped Taiwan-China relations would contin…
ICC opens examination of Israeli-Palestinian conflict
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The International Criminal Court has launched an inquiry into possible war crimes in the Palestinian territories, opening a path to possible charges against Israelis or Palestinians.
Chadian peacekeeper killed in attack on U.N. base in northern Mali
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Suspected Islamist militants attacked a U.N. base in northern Mali with car bombs and rockets on Saturday, killing one Chadian member of the U.N. peacekeeping mission and wounding another, the mission said.
Japan’s Abe pledges support for Mideast countries battling IS
CAIRO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned on Saturday that the world would suffer an “immeasurable loss” if terrorism spreads in the Middle East and pledged about $200 million in non-military assistance for countries battling Islamic …
