Somali parliament approves cabinet after weeks of wrangling
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somalia’s parliament approved a 25-strong cabinet on Monday, a pivotal step toward preparing the war-torn nation for a vote on a new constitution and presidential elections in 2016.
Greek finance minister condemns bailouts, confirms plans for EU bridge pact
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis confirmed on Monday he would go to the Eurogroup of euro zone finance ministers with a request for a bridge agreement to tide Greece over until a new debt pact with international lenders could …
U.S., partners conduct nine air strikes in Iraq, Syria: U.S. military
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. and partner nations conducted three air strikes in Syria and six in Iraq since Sunday in their battle against Islamic State, according to the U.S. military.
Prophet’s grandson Hussein honored on grounds of Israeli hospital
ASHKELON, Israel (Reuters) – About 50 Shi’ite Muslim pilgrims settle down to chant and prostrate themselves in worship near an ancient tomb.
Turkish president says does not welcome spy chief’s election bid
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan said he did not welcome a decision by the country’s powerful spy chief to quit and run for parliament, signaling a possible rift over plans for looming elections among the ruling elite.
Iraqi commander denies paramilitary groups involved in killings
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi lawmaker and paramilitary commander Hadi al-Amiri defended Shi’ite fighters at the forefront of the battle against Islamic State from accusations of mass executions and burning homes, and urged the United States to upgrade Ira…
EU backs Ukraine peace drive, hawks urge no easing of sanctions
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union foreign ministers lined up behind a Franco-German effort to end the Ukraine war on Monday but some said the EU must maintain sanctions on Russia until the situation in eastern Ukraine improved.
Don’t issue ultimatums to Putin: Russian radio cites Kremlin
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be spoken to in the language of ultimatums at talks on the Ukraine crisis, a Russian radio station quoted the Kremlin as saying on Monday.
Nine more Ukrainian servicemen killed in the east
KIEV/DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) – Nine Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 26 wounded in fighting with Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine’s eastern regions in the past 24 hours, a Kiev military spokesman said on Monday.
Russians write open letter to Putin over foreign-currency mortgages
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russians with foreign-currency mortgages have written an open letter to President Vladimir Putin seeking help with repayments that have soared because of the ruble’s plunge, saying they were misled by banks.
