U.S.-backed forces in final sweep against Islamic State in Syria's Manbij

Putin gets new right hand man as veteran chief of staff steps down


MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday appointed a low-profile former diplomat his new Kremlin chief of staff, one of the most powerful jobs in Russia, saying his long-time ally, Sergei Ivanov, had asked to step down.




Bangladesh police arrest five planning suicide attacks in Dhaka


DHAKA Bangladesh police said on Friday they had arrested five members of a domestic Islamist militant group planning suicide attacks in the capital, Dhaka, as authorities hunted for the mastermind of a deadly assault last month.




Philippines says taking seriously 'Islamic State threat' against Miss Universe show


MANILA The Philippines military said on Friday it was taking seriously what it believed was a call by Islamic State (IS) militants for an attack on the Miss Universe contest being held in the country next year.