Foreign Islamist fighters urge Muslims to join jihad in Syria
DUBAI (Reuters) – Five Islamist fighters identified as Australian and British nationals have called on Muslims to join the war in Syria in a new video released by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
India nuke enrichment plant expansion operational in 2015: IHS
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India is expanding a covert uranium enrichment plant that could potentially support the development of thermonuclear weapons, a defence research group said on Friday, raising the stakes in an arms race with China and Pakistan.
Berlusconi’s appeal in sex case starts in Italy
MILAN (Reuters) – Silvio Berlusconi’s appeal of his conviction for abuse of office and paying for sex with a minor began on Friday, opening a new legal battle that could severely limit any active political role for the former Italian prime minister.
Suicide bomber kills one, wounds 20 at Lebanese checkpoint
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A suicide bomber killed one person and wounded at least 20 at a security checkpoint in Lebanon’s Eastern Bekaa Valley on Friday, on the main highway joining Lebanon and Syria’s capitals, Lebanese police said.
China quietly launches probe of foreign non-government outfits: media
BEIJING (Reuters) – China has quietly begun a probe into the operations of foreign non-government bodies in the country, to prepare for tighter regulations in future, as part of a security drive ordered by a new national panel headed by President Xi Ji…
Over 200,000 vote as Hong Kong democracy ‘referendum’ kicks off
HONG KONG (Reuters) – More than 200,000 people voted for full democracy in Hong Kong within the first few hours of an unofficial online referendum on Friday in a civil campaign that has sparked warnings from China’s Communist Party leaders.
South African “honeymoon murder” trial set for Oct. 6
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – A South African court on Friday set Oct. 6 as the start date for the trial of British businessman Shrien Dewani, who is accused of planning the murder of his bride in a staged car-jacking while on honeymoon in Cape Town in 2010.
China launches campaign to cleanse web of terror content
BEIJING (Reuters) – China began a campaign on Friday to purge the Internet of content it says promotes terror and violence, enlisting the aid of major websites, state media said, as the country moves to damp violence in its restive far west.
U.S denies any agreement allowing Sri Lanka to import Iran crude via third parties
COLOMBO (Reuters) – The United States denied on Friday that it had any agreement with Sri Lanka to allow Colombo to import Iranian crude oil through third parties, avoiding Western sanctions aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program.
Japan says had South Korean input on ‘comfort women’ apology
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan got input from South Korea on the sensitive wording of a landmark apology in 1993 to women, many Korean, who worked in Japan’s wartime military brothels, an expert panel said after reviewing evidence that led to the statement.
