Netanyahu receives two-week extension to form government
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have two more weeks to form a new government after he asked Israel’s president on Monday to extend a 28-day period to form a coalition following his election victory.
Indonesia military launches anti-IS operation on eastern island
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia’s military has launched an anti-terrorism operation on the eastern island of Sulawesi to crack down on militants with suspected links to Islamic State, the armed forces chief said on Monday.
U.S. rebalance to Asia begins with major military drill in Philippines
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine and U.S. soldiers began their biggest combined military exercise in 15 years on Monday, in a demonstration of Washington’s commitment to its long-time ally as it rebalances to Asia in the face of China’s expansion in the S…
Aid agency Oxfam condemns Saudi air strike in Yemen
RIYADH (Reuters) – International aid agency Oxfam has condemned a Saudi Arabian air strike in Yemen that it said hit one of its stores containing humanitarian supplies in the Houthi militia’s northern stronghold of Saada.
Saudi Arabia on alert over possible oil or mall attack
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia has put security forces on alert for a possible militant attack on a shopping mall or energy installation, Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour Turki said on Monday.
Criticism but no protest as Thai constitution debate begins
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand on Monday began debating a draft constitution that critics say is anti-democratic, but political groups say they have no plans to protest as the one-year anniversary of a military coup approaches.
‘Logistical issues’ appear to delay Australian refugee flights to Cambodia
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The Australian government appeared to have delayed on Monday a planned first flight to transfer refugees held in one of its offshore detention centers to Cambodia amid reports people are shunning the voluntary program.
Two Cubans lose bids to become first opponents elected to office
HAVANA (Reuters) – Two Cuban dissidents on Sunday lost attempts to become the first openly declared political opponents to win election in Cuba since the 1959 revolution, each failing in races for Havana municipal assemblies.
Three Egyptian soldiers killed in blast claimed by Islamic State affiliate
ISMAILIA, Egypt (Reuters) – An Egyptian army captain and two other soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in Rafah, near the border with the Gaza Strip on Monday, security and medical sources said.
Iraqi Shi’ite militia says DNA tests prove Saddam aide dead
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – An Iraqi Shi’ite militia group said on Sunday it had conducted DNA tests to prove the death of Ezzat al-Douri, former right-hand man to the late president Saddam Hussein, who after the 2003 U.S. invasion was ranked by Washington as …
