World briefs

NEW ZEALAND A man suspected of killing two unemployment-office workers and critically injuring a third was taken into custody yesterday following a manhunt that lasted seven hours and kept a

IRAQ | Germany sends 16,000 rifles to stem Islamic State

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government is sending 16,000 assault rifles, plus anti-tank weapons and armored vehicles, to Iraqi Kurds fighting Islamic State militants, lifting a German taboo on shipments into war

UN diplomats examine Islamic State alleged crimes 

Iraq’s government asked the U.N.’s top human rights body yesterday to investigate alleged crimes against civilians committed by the Islamic State group in its rampage across northeastern Syria and northern

UKRAINE CRISIS | Moscow: Talks must back cease-fire now 

Diplomats at a new round of talks on easing the crisis in Ukraine must push for an immediate, unconditional cease-fire between Ukrainian government troops and pro-Russian separatists, Russia’s foreign minister said yesterday. The

this day in history: 1951 Designers prepare to dazzle Venice

Last week, they showed off an array of 40 ladies’ outfits at a London restaurant before packing them up for the Venice show. The collection aims to demonstrate the versatility of

Offbeat | For sale: Century-old cards of Ty Cobb, Cy Young

Now, the trove of more than 1,400 tobacco cards featuring a slew of Hall of Famers like Cy Young and Ty Cobb — the legacy of a teenage smoker whose

EBOLA OUTBREAK | Experimental drug heals all monkeys in study

An experimental Ebola drug healed all 18 monkeys infected with the deadly virus in a study, boosting hopes that the treatment might help fight the outbreak raging through West Africa — once

the buzz: Militia says it ‘secured’ US compound in Libya

The Islamist-allied militia group in control of Libya’s capital has “secured” a U.S. Embassy residential compound there, more than a month after American personnel evacuated from the country over ongoing

World briefs

THAILAND The general who transitioned from Thailand’s junta leader to prime minister has awarded key Cabinet posts to his trusted allies from the armed forces, the latest in a series

UKRAINE CRISIS | EU vows more Russia sanctions if conflict worsens

Leaders early yesterday gave the European Commission a week to deliver proposals for the penalties. The EU left open the precise trigger for further sanctions, contrasting with a four-point ultimatum

this day in history: 1939 Germany invades Poland

Britain and France have mobilized their forces and are preparing to wage war on Germany for the second time this century. Just before dawn today, German tanks, infantry and cavalry penetrated

Offbeat | Slice of Princess Diana’s wedding cake auctioned

A 33-year-old slice of cake from Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s 1981 wedding has sold at auction for USD1,375. The cake, still in its original white and silver presentation box,

Census: Orca population in Puget Sound falling

The number of whales in J, K and L pods has dropped to 78, a level not seen since 1985, According to a census by the Center for Whale Research.

the buzz: Filipino bishops to counter Islamic State group

Leaders of the Philippine Roman Catholic Church, Asia's largest, vowed yesterday to counter extremist religions such as that espoused by Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq. Archbishop Socrates Villegas,

Indonesia, Australia sign new security agreement

Often-testy neighbors Indonesia and Australia signed a new security agreement yesterday to mend a relationship badly damaged by allegations last year that Australia was listening to the telephone conversations of

World briefs

  JAPAN China’s government yesterday called on Japan to “break clean with militarism” after Tokyo confirmed that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a note earlier this year to a ceremony honoring

EBOLA OUTBREAK | UN: Cases could eventually reach 20,000

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa eventually could exceed 20,000 cases, more than six times as many as doctors know about now, the World Health Organization said yesterday. A new plan to stop

UKRAINE | President: ‘Russian forces have entered’

Ukraine’s president called an emergency meeting of the nation’s security council and canceled a foreign trip yesterday, declaring that “Russian forces have entered Ukraine,” as concerns grew about the opening

this day in history: 2005 Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans

Mississippi and Alabama are also being pounded by the violent storm, which weakened as it swept inland, but brought winds of 170km/h. The category-two storm flung boats onto Mississippi, flooded

Offbeat | Utah approves winery in town with polygamous sect

A town on the Utah-Arizona border largely controlled by Warren Jeffs’ polygamous sect moved closer to opening its first commercial winery, a new venture and a signal of yet another

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