Britain and Russia brace for showdown over nerve attack on ex-spy
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain braced for a showdown with Russia on Wednesday after a midnight deadline set by Prime Minister Theresa May expired without an explanation from Moscow about how a Soviet-era nerve toxin was used to strike down a former Russian…
EU presses tough migration stance with more Turkey money, stricter visa rules
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union on Wednesday said it would chip in another three billion euros ($3.7 billion) for Syrian refugees in Turkey, and restrict travel for countries refusing to take back their citizens who fail to obtain asylum in Eur…
Japan leaves door open for PM Abe-Kim Jong Un summit
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s top government spokesman left the door open on Wednesday to a possible summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to discuss the matter of Japanese citizens kidnapped by Pyongyang’s agents dec…
Russia’s Lavrov says delivery of S-400 missiles to Turkey to speed up
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia will speed up initial deliveries of S-400 surface-to-air missile batteries to Turkey, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday, speaking at a press conference in Moscow together with his Turkish counterpart Me…
German lawmakers elect weakened Merkel to fourth term
BERLIN (Reuters) – German lawmakers voted on Wednesday to re-elect Angela Merkel as chancellor for a fourth, and likely final, term that may prove her most challenging yet as she takes charge of a fragile coalition with her personal standing diminished…
Tokyo bids farewell to ‘trustworthy’ Tillerson, Seoul awaits seasoned Pompeo
TOKYO/SEOUL (Reuters) – Japan’s foreign minister said on Wednesday he personally regretted the departure of “frank, trustworthy” U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ahead of a proposed summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim…
Turkey’s Erdogan says hopes Syria’s Afrin town to be captured by Wednesday evening
ANKARA (Reuters) – President Tayyip Erdogan said he hoped Turkey’s military and its rebel allies would completely capture the northern Syrian town of Afrin by Wednesday evening, a day after the armed forces said it had encircled the town.
Duterte to withdraw Philippines from ICC after ‘outrageous attacks’
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines said on Wednesday it is withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to what President Rodrigo Duterte called “outrageous” attacks by U.N. officials and violations of due process by the ICC.
Syria’s Afrin cut off from water: U.N.
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The water supply to Syria’s Afrin town has been cut off for a week after a change in control of a key dam, the U.N. office for humanitarian affairs said on Wednesday.
German lawmakers elect Merkel to fourth term as chancellor
BERLIN (Reuters) – German lawmakers voted on Wednesday to re-elect Angela Merkel as chancellor for a fourth, and likely final, term that may prove her most challenging yet as she leads a fragile coalition with her standing diminished.
