How Pakistan’s Sharif stumbled into protests crisis
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – As thousands of protesters blockaded Pakistan’s parliament last week, the spirits of the lawmakers inside were briefly lifted by a rare appearance from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. 
U.N. accuses Islamic State of mass killings
GENEVA/BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The United Nations on Monday condemned “appalling, widespread” crimes by Islamic State forces in Iraq, including mass executions of prisoners that could amount to war crimes.
Final TV debate before Scotland’s independence vote begins
GLASGOW Scotland (Reuters) – Two of Scotland’s leading politicians began a final TV debate on Monday night, just weeks before a historic independence referendum, with secessionists looking for a game-changing performance to catch up in the polls.
Two car bombs kill at least 11 in mainly Shi’ite part of Baghdad
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Two car bombs killed at least 11 people and wounded 25 in a mainly Shi’ite district of Baghdad, police and medical sources said on Monday.
Russia grants asylum to banker wanted by Lithuania: prosecutors
VILNIUS (Reuters) – Russia has granted asylum to Lithuanian banker Vladimir Romanov, who is wanted on embezzlement charges, and has said it will not extradite him, Lithuanian prosecutors said on Monday, in a move likely to further chill relations betwe…
Syria says would work with any state to fight Islamist militants
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria said on Monday it would cooperate in any international effort to fight Islamic State militants, after Washington signaled it was considering extending the battle against the group into Syrian territory.
Polish archbishop appeals defrocking for sexual abuse: Vatican
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – A Polish archbishop accused of child sex abuse in the Dominican Republic has appealed against a Roman Catholic tribunal’s decision to defrock him, the Vatican said on Monday.
Saudi Arabia jails 17 people for militant Islamist offences
DUBAI (Reuters) – A Saudi court has jailed 17 men for up to 33 years on a range of militant Islamist charges, including fighting in foreign conflicts and joining terrorist cells inside the kingdom, state news agency SPA reported on Monday.
New PM Cerar hints Slovenia might scale back privatization drive
LJUBLJANA (Reuters) – Slovenia’s new prime minister hinted on Monday he might scale back the country’s privatization program once he forms a coalition with two parties opposed to large-scale sell-offs of state assets.
Diffuse Hamas structure complicates Gaza peace efforts
JERUSALEM/GAZA (Reuters) – Founded by just seven people in Gaza, Hamas now has political and military leaders spread across the Arab world, complicating its ability to send a unified message for negotiating an end to a seven-week war with Israel.
