With its soldiers mired in Gaza, Israel fights a battle at home over drafting the ultra-Orthodox

JERUSALEM — As Israel battles a prolonged war in Gaza, broad exemptions from mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox men have reopened a deep divide in the country and rattled the government coalition, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fellow War Cabinet members staunchly opposed to his proposed new conscription law. By the end of the month, … Read more

Seven soldiers in Chad are killed in an explosion blamed on Boko Haram extremists

N’DJAMENA, Chad — An explosive device detonated and killed seven soldiers in Chad during a patrol in the country’s west near Lake Chad, the government says. The interim president, Mahamat Deby Itno, announced the deaths Monday on social media. Chadian authorities said they suspected Boko Haram extremists from Nigeria were behind the attack, renewing concerns … Read more

Italy follows France in raising security after the IS-claimed attack in Russia

BERLIN — Italy followed France on Monday in stepping up security following the attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall and the claim of responsibility by an affiliate of the Islamic State group. The attack renewed attention in Europe on the risk from the extremists, and particularly the Central Asian affiliate, as the continent gears … Read more

US-backed Syrian force that defeated IS 5 years ago warns group still poses international threat

BEIRUT — The U.S.-backed force that defeated the Islamic State group in Syria five years ago warned Saturday that the extremists still pose grave dangers throughout the world and called on the international community to find solutions for thousands of fighters still held in its jails. The statement by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to … Read more

Germans thought they were immune to nationalism after confronting their Nazi past. They were wrong

BERLIN — When Sabine Thonke joined a recent demonstration in Berlin against Germany’s far-right party, it was the first time in years she felt hopeful that the growing power of the extremists in her country could be stopped. Thonke, 59, had been following the rise of the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, with unease. But … Read more

Live updates | Israeli military presents a plan for a Rafah offensive to the War Cabinet

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that the army had presented to the War Cabinet its operational plan for a ground offensive into Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost town along the border with Egypt, where 1.4 million Palestinians have sought safety. The situation in Rafah, where dense tent camps have sprouted to house the displaced, has … Read more

Germany’s top security official wants easier ways to track right-wing financing

BERLIN — Germany’s top security official said Tuesday that she aims to make it easier to trace right-wing extremists’ financing and plans to set up an “early recognition unit” to detect far-right and foreign disinformation campaigns as early as possible. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser’s proposals follow large protests against the far right in Germany in … Read more

Militants in eastern Congo kill 12 villagers as country’s leader rules out talks with Rwanda

KINSHASA, Congo — Militants killed at least 12 villagers in a spate of attacks in eastern Congo, a local official and a civil society leader said as the country’s president ruled out dialogue with neighboring Rwanda over a related conflict. The killings in Congo’s North Kivu province took place on Tuesday and were carried out … Read more

Across Germany, anti-far right protests draw hundreds of thousands

BERLIN — A protest against the far right in the German city of Munich Sunday afternoon ended early due to safety concerns after approximately 100,000 people showed up, police said. The demonstration was one of dozens around the country this weekend that drew hundreds of thousands of people in total. The demonstrations came in the … Read more

Protests against Germany’s far right gain new momentum after report on meeting of extremists

BERLIN — Tens of thousands of people protested the far right in cities across Germany on Saturday, attending events with slogans such as “Never Again is Now,” “Against Hate” and “Defend Democracy.” The large crowds were the latest in a series of demonstrations that have been gaining momentum in recent days. The demonstrations came in … Read more