Merkel ally threatens legal action over refugee policy
BERLIN (Reuters) – A prominent ally of Germany’s Angela Merkel has threatened to take her government to court over its open door refugee policy as political pressure grows for the chancellor to reduce the number of new arrivals.
Australia PM tells Europe to step up fight against Islamic State during Iraq visit
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called on European countries to “step up” efforts to defeat Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria during a surprise visit to Iraq on Saturday.
Polish ruling party leader shrugs off EU probe over court and media
WARSAW (Reuters) – Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), played down a European Union investigation into recent legislation, saying Poland has to go its own way and not yield to any pressures.
Exclusive: In negotiating to free Americans in Iran, U.S. blinked on new sanctions
VIENNA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The day before the Obama administration was due to slap new sanctions on Iran late last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif warned U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry the move could derail a prisoner deal the two si…
UNHCR to seek new help for refugees in Turkey, push resettlement
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – The United Nations’ refugee agency will seek additional resources for Turkey, the world’s largest host of refugees, and push for more resettlement, its head said on Saturday, as the war in Syria is set to enter its sixth year.
Support for Ireland’s ruling coalition falls as election looms
DUBLIN (Reuters) – Support for Ireland’s ruling coalition fell in two opinion polls published on Saturday, widening the margin the member parties need to make up if they are to return to government after elections expected next month.
Qatar provides 1,000 new homes for Gazans displaced by war
GAZA (Reuters) – Qatari-funded construction projects have provided 1,000 new dwellings for Palestinians left homeless by the 2014 Gaza war with Israel, and a similar number for low-income families in the territory, officials said on Saturday.
Poland hopes to buy U.S. Patriot missiles
WARSAW (Reuters) – Poland hopes to buy the American Patriot air and missile defense system, Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz said on Saturday, signaling a $5 billion deal may be struck despite the new conservative government’s initial doubts. 
U.S., allies launch 29 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq, Syria: U.S. military
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and its allies targeted Islamic State with 18 strikes in Iraq and 11 in Syria on Friday, the U.S. military said.
U.N. says has reports of starvation in Syria’s besieged Deir Al-Zor
GENEVA (Reuters) – Unverified reports say 15 to 20 people died of starvation in the Syrian city of Deir al-Zor last year, the United Nations said on Saturday, warning that 200,000 residents there face a severe food shortage and sharply deteriorating co…
