Foreigners seized by Islamic State in Libya: Austria
VIENNA (Reuters) – Islamic State militants in Libya seized a group of foreigners at the al-Ghani oilfield last week, a spokesman for the Austrian foreign ministry said citing “secure information” on Monday, adding that they were alive when taken.
Foreign non-government groups in China fear clampdown under new law
BEIJING (Reuters) – Foreign non-government organizations (NGOs) in China are bracing for a crackdown as the government prepares to pass a new law to regulate their activities, which critics fear could curb activism and drive out several groups.
United Arab party a surprise new force in Israeli election
UMM EL-FAHM, Israel (Reuters) – A political sideshow for much of the past six decades, Israel’s Arab minority is hoping to gain much-needed muscle after next week’s parliamentary election, with four Arab parties uniting under one banner for the first t…
Saudis block Swedish minister’s speech at Arab League
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia has blocked a plan for Sweden’s Foreign Minister to address the League of Arab States in Cairo on Monday in a protest over criticism of its human rights record, a Swedish foreign ministry spokesman said.
Mine director arrested over blast in east Ukraine: rebel media
DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) – A director of a mine in a rebel-held part of east Ukraine has been arrested over a blast that killed 34 miners last week, separatist press service DAN reported on Monday, quoting prosecutors.
German military says worried about Islamists infiltrating to get arms training
BERLIN (Reuters) – The head of Germany’s military intelligence says he fears its armed forces could be infiltrated by Islamist militants to obtain weapons training for use in fighting in Syria and Iraq for insurgent groups like Islamic State.
Manila’s Aquino says he was ‘fooled’ about deadly botched commando raid
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Monday blamed a police general for giving him wrong information about a botched secret mission against Islamic rebels that led to the deaths of 44 commandos.
German foreign minister sees reduction of violence in east Ukraine
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Violence in eastern Ukraine has reduced significantly since a ceasefire deal was agreed in Minsk, Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Monday during a visit to Romania.
Thai king visits palace in first trip outside of hospital
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej left hospital on Monday to visit his Bangkok palace, the first such trip since he was admitted last year, which is likely to comfort many who revere him as the arbiter of decades-long, sometimes vi…
Bangladeshi taken hostage by Islamic State in Libya oilfield attack
DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladesh on Monday confirmed one of its citizens was among nine foreign workers taken hostage last week by the Islamic State militant group in an attack on a Libyan oilfield.
