US missionary kidnapped in southern Niger

An American citizen has been kidnapped in a village in southern Niger close to the border with Nigeria. No group has claimed responsibility so far.

Philip Walton had been living and working as a missionary in the area of Massalata for a year.

Libya to Release Russians Charged With Vote Meddling

Libya’s internationally recognized government has agreed to release two Russian political operatives who’ve been jailed for more than a year, officials said, signaling a detente with Moscow, which had backed a rival in a devastating civil war.

Erdogan finds advantages for Turkey in France boycott campaign

Relying on Kuwait’s Muslim Brotherhood, Ankara aims to embarrass Saudi Arabia.

The increasing calls in Kuwait to boycott French products seem less a spontaneous action to defend Islam and its Messenger than part of a plan to thrust Kuwait into the centre of a boycott movement aimed at embarrassing Saudi Arabia and showing that its boycott of Turkish goods and products is unjustified.

Arab survey: US can help solve Israel-Pal conflict, contain Iran

A new poll published by Arab News and conducted with YouGov showed that while people in 18 countries surveyed may be concerned about US President Donald Trump’s policies, they are supportive of US engagement with the region and solving the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Of particular importance, when asked about what the largest problems are in the region, many referenced economic problems or even Iran, but not Israel as a negative issue.