MOSCOW—The poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny by what German authorities say was Novichok, a Soviet-era chemical nerve agent, provides the strongest indication yet that the attack was likely carried out by Russian state actors. Some experts say the hint at state involvement may be intentional, sending an unambiguous message to opponents of Russian President Vladimir … Read more
Women’s rights activists are facing a renewed threat in Egypt after security forces detained witnesses and people who campaigned for the prosecution of several accused rapists, according to several people close to the situation. Authorities detained six people in recent days, including some who offered evidence in a high-profile case involving a group of wealthy … Read more
NEW DELHI— Facebook Inc. FB -4.18% banned a member of India’s ruling party for violating its policies against hate speech, amid a growing political storm over its handling of extremist content on its platform. The removal of the politician, T. Raja Singh, is an about-face for the company and one that will be politically tricky … Read more
BAGHDAD—French President Emmanuel Macron, on his first official visit to Iraq, pledged support to the country’s new government in its fight against Islamic State, amid concerns over the militant group’s resurgence as the U.S. cuts its troops there. “We remain committed because the battle against terrorist Daesh continues,” Mr. Macron said Wednesday in a news … Read more
BERLIN—Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny was poisoned with Novichok, a chemical nerve agent, the German government said on Wednesday, presenting the strongest evidence yet that the attack could have been carried out by Russian state agencies. Chancellor Angela Merkel held an emergency meeting with members of her cabinet and called on Moscow to immediately comment … Read more
PARIS—The alleged accomplices of the terror attacks on Charlie Hebdo and a kosher grocery store went on trial Wednesday, a day after the satirical magazine republished cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad that triggered the attackers five years ago. All three of the gunmen who mounted the three-day shooting spree were killed in standoffs with police, … Read more
French President Emmanuel Macron pressed Lebanon’s leaders to form a government and deliver long-delayed reforms, promising international aid in return that would help the tiny Mediterranean nation stave off an economic collapse. On Tuesday, Mr. Macron met with the country’s president, Michel Aoun, and was slated to meet with other political leaders, many of whom … Read more
JOHANNESBURG—The fatal police shooting of a South African teenager has sparked protests and demands for changes to how law enforcement operates in the country, which has among the highest levels of violent crime in the world and a large number of killings by police each year. Nathaniel Julius, a 16-year-old boy with Down syndrome, was shot … Read more
BERLIN—European Union foreign ministers agreed to impose sanctions on senior Belarusian officials in response to what the EU called violent repression against peaceful protesters and opposition figures by the country’s autocratic regime. The EU in coming days will draft a list of roughly 20 officials to face sanctions and the roster will be extended if … Read more
WELLINGTON, New Zealand—New Zealand activated its National Security System in response to a prolonged cyberattack that disrupted trading on the country’s stock exchange this week. Trading on New Zealand’s securities market was halted for a fourth day on Friday by a denial of service attack that NZX Ltd., the exchange’s operator, said came from overseas. … Read more