INTERNATIONAL

A man has been arrested for allegedly making threats against Jewish institutions, the FBI said on Friday. Juan Thompson, 31, “allegedly caused havoc, expending hundreds of hours of police and law enforcement resources”, said NYPD Commissioner James P O’Neill. He allegedly made eight threats against Jewish Community Centers (JCC), while claiming to be a former girlfriend. The centres have received ...

The only North Korean held in Malaysia in connection with the death of Kim Jong-nam has been released by police. Officials have said there is insufficient evidence to charge Ri Jong Chol, and that he will be deported over immigration offences. Nearly three weeks after the killing, Malaysia has condemned the use of the powerful VX nerve agent in the ...

Democrats say they remain unconvinced by Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ latest comments regarding his contacts with the Russian ambassador in 2016. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is leading calls for America’s top prosecutor to step down. President Donald Trump said he was “an honest man” and described Democrats’ pressure as “a total witch hunt”. Mr Sessions earlier removed himself from ...

Top Republicans are urging Attorney General Jeff Sessions to remove himself from an FBI probe into alleged Russian interference in the US election. Mr Sessions is under fire after it emerged he had met Russia’s ambassador during the election – despite telling his confirmation hearing he had “no communications with the Russians”. Democratic politicians say he misled the hearing and ...

The North Korean man being held by Malaysia in connection with the death of Kim Jong-nam is to be released and deported, say Malaysian officials. Attorney General Mohamed Apandi Ali said Ri Jong Chol was “a free man” as there was “insufficient evidence to charge him”. The estranged half-brother of North Korea’s leader died on 13 February – he was ...

A US congressional committee has agreed an investigation into Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 US elections. The House intelligence panel inquiry will scrutinise contacts between Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and Moscow, members confirmed. The White House denies any improper behaviour during the election campaign. The justice department has confirmed new Attorney General Jeff Sessions had conversations with Russia’s ambassador ...

UN human rights investigators say Syrian civilians fell victim to war crimes committed by all parties during the battle for Aleppo last year. Daily air strikes by Syria’s government and its ally Russia claimed hundreds of lives, according to a new report. Government forces also dropped chlorine bombs, resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties, it alleges. Rebels are meanwhile accused ...

French centre-right presidential candidate Francois Fillon says a judge is placing him under investigation over a fake job scandal – but has vowed to continue his election campaign. For weeks, Mr Fillon has fought allegations that his wife was paid for years for work she did not do. Mr Fillon called the investigation “a political assassination” against him. President Francois ...

President Donald Trump has said the US is witnessing a “renewal of the American spirit”, as he delivered his first speech to Congress. Adopting a more measured, upbeat tone, the Republican president spoke of a “new chapter of American greatness”. Mr Trump condemned recent vandalism of Jewish cemeteries and a hate crime in Kansas that left an Indian man dead. ...

A French police sniper has accidentally shot and injured two people during a speech by President Francois Hollande in western France. The shot was fired as the officer moved position on a roof about 100m (328ft) from a tent where Mr Hollande was speaking in the town of Villognon. The bullet went through the canvas of the tent, where drinks ...