Iraqi parliament approves defense, interior ministers: state TV
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The Iraqi parliament on Saturday approved a Sunni Muslim to become defense minister and a Shi’ite to be interior minister, state television said, as part of a more inclusive government to help tackle Islamist insurgents.
Man accused of spying worked on strategic Polish gas project
WARSAW (Reuters) – A lawyer arrested in Poland on Wednesday on suspicion of spying for a foreign state worked on a Polish gas project which officials view as strategically vital because it will cut dependence on imported Russian gas.
U.S.-led air strikes in Syria killed 10 civilians: monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – U.S-led forces which are bombing Islamic State militants in Syria killed ten civilians in two recent air strikes, a group monitoring the violence said on Saturday.
Nepal blizzard death toll rises to 39, more than 370 rescued
KATHMANDU (Reuters) – The death toll in a blizzard that engulfed trekkers on Nepal’s popular Annapurna trail in the Himalayas has risen to 39, police and army sources said on Saturday.
Germany arrests two suspected IS supporters, raids properties
BERLIN (Reuters) – German police have arrested two men suspected of supporting Islamic State and raided properties across the country of another 13 suspected supporters of militant Islamist groups, prosecutors said on Saturday.
U.S.-led coalition jets strike Kobani after Islamic State shelling
MURSITPINAR Turkey (Reuters) – U.S.-led coalition jets struck suspected Islamic State targets at least twice in the besieged Syrian town of Kobani on Saturday after fierce shelling by the insurgents hit the town center.
Lebanon blocks Syrian refugees from entering: United Nations
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Lebanese government has cut back sharply on the number of Syrian refugees it is allowing into the country, the United Nations representative in Lebanon said on Saturday.
German train strike leaves millions stranded
BERLIN (Reuters) – Millions of passengers were left stranded across Germany on Saturday after train drivers began a 50-hour strike that halted two thirds of long-distance trains in a dispute over pay and negotiation rights.
Houthis, Sunni supporters clash in central Yemen
SANAA (Reuters) – Yemeni Shi’ite Houthi fighters and supporters of the Sunni Muslim party Islah clashed in central Yemen on Saturday, residents and local officials said, another sign of sectarian warfare in the violence-prone country that borders Saudi…
British police to join Thai investigation into tourist murders
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand has agreed to allow British police to join an investigation into the murder of two backpackers on a Thai island, after local authorities came under criticism for their handling of the case.
