AFP, United Nation
The United Nations Security Council will vote Tuesday on whether to extend an international investigation of chemical weapons attacks in Syria-a measure that could be vetoed by Russia.
The United States requested a vote on a draft resolution it presented last week that would allow the joint UN-Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) panel to continue for another year its work of identifying who is behind toxic gas attacks in Syria’s six-year war.
Poland’s PM to reshuffle cabinet
Reuters, Warsaw
Poland’s Prime Minister Beata Szydlo will reshuffle her cabinet soon, she said on Tuesday, declining to respond to speculation on whether her own job might be at risk. On Monday, weekly Sieci Prawdy suggested Szydlo might be replaced by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party that they are both members of.
Iraq rebuffs US on Shiite militias
AFP, Baghdad
Iraq on Monday rebuffed a US demand that Iranian militias leave the country, insisting that the paramilitary forces which helped it defeat the Islamic State group consist solely of Iraqi nationals.
“Nobody has the right to interfere in Iraqi affairs,” the Iraqi cabinet said in a statement, quoting a source close to Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
Australia to train Philippines in urban warfare
AFP, Philippines
Australia will train Filipino soldiers in urban warfare to combat the spread of Islamic extremism after months of fierce fighting against militants in the southern Philippines, it was announced Tuesday.
Canberra has since September been helping Manila battle local supporters of the Islamic State group in the southern city of Marawi, deploying two AP-3C Orion aircraft for surveillance while helping in information-gathering and analysis.
Defence chiefs in the Philippines on Monday declared victory after a five-month battle that claimed more than 1,100 lives and destroyed large parts of the city.
