DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – An international human rights organization says the planned flogging of a Saudi blogger convicted of insulting Islam has been delayed for a second straight week. The London-based Amnesty International says that around eight doctors carried out medical tests on Raif Badawi and recommended that he …
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Denmark has earmarked 60.9 million kroner ($9.2 million) over the next three years for programs to de-radicalize Islamic extremists, including those who have fought with jihadi groups in Syria and Iraq. Justice Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday most of the money will be used for efforts to …
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BRUSSELS – Belgian authorities have detained four suspects during an anti-terror sweep linked to the recruitment of potential jihadis to go fight in Syria. Police searched 22 homes mostly in northeastern Belgium early Friday but found no weapons, explosives or ammunition. The federal prosecutor’s office said in a statement the …
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PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – Trinidad’s leader has fired her attorney general and the national security minister over allegations they participated in witness tampering. In a televised address late Monday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she could not determine the truth of the allegations against the two officials. But she said the …
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UNITED NATIONS – Japan says it will never give in to terrorism and will continue providing non-military assistance for the fight against the Islamic State and other extremist groups — but not military troops or equipment “at this point.” Japan sent Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura to the United …
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TORONTO – Canada’s prime minister has announced a cabinet shuffle amid turmoil in his Conservative government. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Monday that Rob Nicholson is the new foreign minister and Jason Kenney is the new defense minister. Nicholson moves over from defense. Kenney will give up his position as …
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BUDAPEST, Hungary – Hungary’s foreign minister says his country “cannot afford not to talk to Russia” about ensuring gas supplies. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told The Associated Press Thursday that because of the cancellation of two natural gas pipeline projects, Nabucco and South Stream, “the only way to ensure energy …
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MONTREAL – More than 3,000 Teamsters members have gone on strike at Canadian Pacific Railway after contract talks failed to reach an agreement before the midnight deadline. The Teamsters Canada Rail conference union represents 3,300 locomotive engineers and other train workers. It was not clear early Sunday how rail service …
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RAMAT GAN, Israel – Israel’s top military legal advisor says he is “not concerned” by the possibility of an investigation by the International Criminal Court into last year’s Gaza war. Israel’s military advocate general, Maj. Gen. Danny Efroni says he believes the military’s own investigations into its actions are “sufficient …
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MADRID – United Nations human rights experts have urged Spain’s Senate to reject two proposed bills they say threaten fundamental rights and freedoms. The five experts issued a statement Monday expressing concerned about the Public Security Law and the Penal Code projects and calling on Spain to take steps to …
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