Israel says cracks first local Islamic State cell
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel said on Sunday it had cracked the first Islamic State cell on its soil, made up of seven Arab citizens who would be prosecuted on charges of planning attacks in the Jewish state and communicating with the insurgent group in…
Five Pakistani men held in Afghanistan over school massacre: officials
KABUL (Reuters) – Five Pakistani men have been arrested in Afghanistan in connection with the Taliban massacre of 134 school children in the Pakistani city of Peshawar last month, officials from both countries said on Sunday.
No respite in Bangladesh violence over polls as death toll rises to 27
DHAKA (Reuters) – An 18-year-old man died after unidentified attackers hurled fire bombs at the vehicle in which he was traveling early on Sunday in Southern Barisal, lifting to 27 the death toll from violence in Bangladesh’s deepening political crisis…
Niger police fire tear gas as opposition defies ban on protest
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Police in Niger fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters who gathered in the capital Niamey on Sunday in defiance of a ban on a demonstration against what they see as poor governance, witnesses said.
Pope says Mass for huge Manila crowd, appeals for suffering children
MANILA (Reuters) – Pope Francis said a huge open-air Mass for a rain-drenched crowd of millions in the Philippine capital on Sunday, after appealing to the world to “learn how to cry” over the plight of poor, hungry, homeless and abused children.
North Korean defector, subject of escape bestseller, changes his story
SEOUL (Reuters) – A North Korean defector, whose dramatic escape from a brutal prison camp was the subject of a bestselling book, has changed key parts of his story and on Sunday apologised for misleading people.
Loosening Beijing embrace, Sri Lanka reviews China projects
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Sri Lanka’s new government will review Chinese infrastructure projects awarded under the previous administration, a junior minister said, a move bound to please Indian and Western powers concerned about Beijing’s access in the islan…
Catalonia takes election gamble to keep independence drive alive
MADRID (Reuters) – Catalonian leaders are hoping that a regional election in September will keep alive a fading independence drive and force the hand of Spain’s central government – but the move could also backfire.
Japan opposition Democrats turn to familiar face to try to fix flagging fortunes
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s opposition Democratic Party elected former foreign minister Katsuya Okada as its leader on Sunday, turning to a familiar face to try to persuade voters it can again become a viable alternative to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ru…
France’s Hollande defends freedom of speech after anti-Hebdo clashes abroad
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande said on Saturday that anti-Charlie Hebdo protesters in other countries do not understand France’s attachment to freedom of speech.
