German Chancellor Angela Merkel says giving refuge to Iraqis and Syrians is part of her country's effort to counter the Islamic State group. Merkel has faced growing criticism in her country for allowing an unprecedented number of asylum seekers — almost 1.1 million last year — to enter Germany. [...] she also says refugees are being taught transferable skills that will help them rebuild their home countries when peace returns. Turkish media say police have raided three factories producing unlicensed and poor-quality inflatable boats used to smuggle migrants to Greece. The state-run Anadolu Agency said Saturday police seized 49 boats in the simultaneous raids in the Aegean coastal city of Izmir a day earlier. According to the private Dogan news agency, they faced administrative action that could lead to the closing the factories.