North Korea, South Korea reopen maritime communication channel
SEOUL (Reuters) – North and South Korea reopened a maritime communication channel on Sunday, with vessels from the two countries making radio contact for the first time in a decade, South Korea’s Defence Ministry said in a statement.
Thousands set to rally in Hong Kong over Beijing’s tightening grip
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong were expecting tens of thousands of people to attend an annual protest rally on Sunday to mark the 21st anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule as tensions simmer over Beijing’s tighte…
Opportunities for Afghan money traders as Iran sanctions loom
HERAT, Afghanistan (Reuters) – Aziz Ahmad is one of the unlikely winners of the stand-off between the United States and Iran, turning his modest transport service into an international foreign exchange operation that is providing much-needed dollars to…
Weakened Merkel to face judgment of her Bavarian allies
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s political future rests in the hands of the Christian Social Union (CSU) on Sunday, when the Bavarian party’s leadership meets to decide whether to accept migration deals she brought back from Brussel…
Journalist murdered in southern Mexico before Sunday’s elections
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – A Mexican journalist was murdered in the southern state of Quintana Roo, authorities said on Saturday, in the latest case of a reporter being killed before a presidential election riddled with violence.
Maldives opposition selects veteran Ibrahim Solih for Sept presidential poll
MALE (Reuters) – Maldives opposition Democratic Party on Saturday nominated veteran lawmaker Ibrahim “Ibu” Mohamed Solih as its presidential candidate a day after former president Mohamed Nasheed withdrew as the party’s candidate for the September elec…
Italy, Malta in fresh stand-off over boat carrying 59 migrants
ROME (Reuters) – A rescue boat saved 59 migrants at sea off Libya on Saturday and Italy immediately said it would not welcome them, setting up a fresh stand-off with Malta and adding to tensions among European governments over immigration.
Jordan army begins delivering aid to Syrians stranded near border
AMMAN (Reuters) – The Jordanian army began delivering humanitarian aid to thousands of displaced Syrians who took shelter near its border when major fighting broke out in southern Syria this month, a government spokeswoman said on Saturday.
Malaysia’s former ruling party picks old hand as new president
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia’s former ruling party picked a familiar face as its new leader on Saturday, as they grapple with a spectacular defeat in a May general election that pushed them from power after more than 60 years.
South Sudan, rebels trade attacks as truce due to start
JUBA (Reuters) – South Sudanese government forces and rebels launched attacks on each other’s positions on Saturday, both sides said, the day a ceasefire that formed part of new peace agreement was due to take effect.
