Congenial new Iraq leader wins allies, but no easy path to save nation
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – It is no coincidence that Iraq’s new prime minister is more likeable than his predecessor. Haider al-Abadi was handpicked last month to detoxify a political system poisoned to the point of collapse under the dour and mercurial Nuri …
Poll shows rival Scottish independence camps neck-and-neck
EDINBURGH (Reuters) – The rival campaigns in Scotland’s fight over independence are running neck-and-neck nine days before the referendum, with a surge in support for those who wish to break away from the United Kingdom, a TNS poll showed on Tuesday.
U.S. courts skeptical Arab allies in Islamic State fight
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – After threatening to destroy and degrade Islamic State militants, the United States will court skeptical Gulf Arab allies this week and consider expanding training and arming of moderate Syrian rebels to lead the fight against th…
Iraqi parliament approves new government headed by Haider al-Abadi
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s parliament approved a new government headed by Haider al-Abadi as prime minister on Monday night, in a bid to rescue Iraq from collapse, with sectarianism and Arab-Kurdish tensions on the rise.
Brazil’s Rousseff moves to limit damage from Petrobras scandal
BRASILIA (Reuters) – President Dilma Rousseff sought to shield her re-election bid from a new scandal at state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA by asking prosecutors on Monday for any details involving officials in her government.
Bomb blast in Chile wounds 10; government blames ‘terrorists’
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – A bomb exploded next to an underground train station in the Chilean capital of Santiago on Monday afternoon, wounding at least 10 people, and the government said it bore the signs of “a terrorist” act.
U.N. envoy visits Libya to back elected parliament
BENGHAZI Libya (Reuters) – A U.N. special envoy visited Libya’s elected parliament in the eastern town of Tobruk on Monday in a show of support against a rival assembly set up by armed groups that seized the capital, Tripoli, last month.
New U.N. rights boss warns of ‘house of blood’ in Iraq, Syria
GENEVA (Reuters) – The new U.N. human rights chief urged world powers on Monday to protect women and minorities targeted by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, saying the fighters were trying to create a “house of blood.”
New Thai PM uses holy water, feng shui to ward off occult
BANGKOK (Reuters) – As he prepares to move in to Bangkok’s Government House this week, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is going to great lengths to sweep away any occult challenge.
Jury selection begins in Canadian dismemberment trial
MONTREAL (Reuters) – Jury selection for the trial of a Canadian man accused of murdering and dismembering a Chinese student in Montreal in 2012 began on Monday and the defense said finding 14 impartial jurors will be difficult but not impossible.
