Iraq’s Abadi asks political blocs to nominate technocrats for cabinet
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi asked political blocs in parliament and “influential social figures” to nominate technocrats as candidates for ministerial positions in a new cabinet he plans to form, state TV reported on Friday…
U.S. nominates Scaparrotti as top NATO commander
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama nominated U.S. Army General Curtis Scaparrotti on Friday to become NATO’s top military commander, the Pentagon said, a key role as NATO builds up its posture in eastern Europe in a bid to deter Russia.
Sadr supporters rally in Baghdad, press Abadi to form new cabinet
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of people rallied on Friday in Baghdad, heeding a call from Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr to put pressure on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to proceed with his plan to form a cabinet of independent, professional ministers.
Greece struggles to convince stranded migrants Balkan route is shut
ATHENS/IDOMENI, Greece (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of refugees and migrants were stuck in camps and ports across Greece on Friday as authorities struggled to convince them that the main passage to reach wealthy northern Europe has shut.
Turkey promises legal compliance in implementing EU migrant deal
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey is working on measures to fulfill its part in a potential 6 billion euro ($6.7 bln) deal to take back illegal migrants from Europe and will involve the U.N. to ensure it complies with international law, senior Turkish official…
Syrian dissident Haytham Manna says he will not attend Geneva talks
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Prominent Syrian dissident Haytham Manna said on Friday he would not attend peace talks that are to start next week in Geneva, saying he had been invited but saw little chance for their success.
Suspected gas blast rocks central bank office in southern Nigeria’s Calabar
ONITSHA, Nigeria (Reuters) – An explosion thought to have been caused by a gas cylinder has rocked a Central Bank of Nigeria building in the southern city of Calabar, police said on Friday.
Chilean labor bill clears Senate, but rebels knock down key part
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Chile’s Senate passed most parts of a controversial labor reform bill on Thursday night, but struck down one key provision in a sign of hardening divisions within the ruling coalition.
South African teen finds suspected piece of missing MH370 plane
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – A South African teenager has found debris which will be sent to Australia for testing as part of the investigation into the disappearance of a Malaysian Airlines plane two years ago, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (…
Europe rights body accuses Poland of threatening democracy
VENICE/WARSAW (Reuters) – A pan-European rights body accused Poland’s conservative government on Friday of undermining democracy in east Europe’s largest economy by crippling its top court, a move that could put Poland on a collision course with the Eu…
