From India's deadly gas leak to an ISIS cell in Afghanistan: non-coronavirus news you may have missed

Iraq's Parliament confirms new prime minister after weeks of deadlock and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu is clear to form a government despite corruption charges

Rescuers evacuate people following a gas leak incident at an LG Polymers plant in Visakhapatnam. AFP

India gas leak: at least 11 dead and hundreds ill

At least 11 people have been killed and several hundred taken to hospital after a gas leak at a chemicals plant in Visakhapatnam city on the east coast of India, police said on Thursday.

They said the gas leaked from two 5,000-tonne tanks that were unattended  because of India's coronavirus lockdown, in place since late March.

Police said at least 11 people died and between 300 and 400 were taken to hospital after the leak at the plant, which is owned by South Korean battery maker LG Chemical.

Afghan forces break ISIS-Haqqani cell blamed for Sikh temple attack

Afghanistan's intelligence agency said it had broken a joint cell of militants from ISIS and Haqqani, who carried out the deadly raid on a Sikh temple in Kabul and other recent attacks.

Five militants were killed and eight arrested when security forces stormed two hideouts of the cell, one in Kabul and the other outside the capital, the National Directorate of Security said.

At least 25 people were killed when gunmen stormed the temple in Kabul on March 25 as worshippers were offering morning prayers.

Iraqi Parliament confirms Mustafa Al Kadhimi as new Prime Minister

Mustafa Al Kadhimi delivers a speech after being confirmed as the new Iraqi prime minister. EPA

'I urge all political actors to come together around a national programme to serve Iraq's interests,' Mr Al Kadhimi said. EPA

More than 250 members attended the session in Baghdad and accepted 15 ministers while rejecting five – those for trade, justice, culture, agriculture and migration. AFP

The speaker of Iraq's parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi meets Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi. Reuters

Members of the Iraqi parliament gather before the vote. Reuters

The speaker of Iraq's parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi receives Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mustafa Al Kadhimi before the vote. Reuters

The speaker of Iraq's parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi receives Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mustafa Al Kadhimi before the vote. Reuters

Mr Al Kadhimi's government must tackle an economic crisis brought on by oil price crashes, and cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Al Kadhimi said the government he was trying to form 'has to be up to the crisis' and that he rejected 'any pressure aimed at undermining the state'.

The Iraqi Parliament voted on Wednesday night to approve the government of Mustafa Al Kadhimi, ending weeks of political deadlock.

More than 250 members attended the session in Baghdad and voted in 15 ministers while rejecting five – those for trade, justice, culture, agriculture and migration.

"My Cabinet has earned Parliament’s support and we will work to earn the trust and support of the Iraqi people," Mr Al Kadhimi tweeted.

Israel's Supreme Court clears Benjamin Netanyahu to form government despite corruption charges

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted in January on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies any wrongdoing in all three cases.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s indictment on corruption charges does not disqualify him from forming a government, Israel’s top court said on Wednesday.

In its ruling against opposition petitioners, the Supreme Court also found Mr Netanyahu’s unity government deal with his election rival Benny Gantz was not against the law, dismissing arguments that it unlawfully shielded him in a corruption trial.

The ruling removes a legal hurdle to the coalition government that right-wing Mr Netanyahu and centrist Mr Gantz plan to swear in next week, after three inconclusive elections in the past year.