Taiwan president wishes China happy new year, gets warm response
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen wished “friends” in China a happy Lunar New Year on Thursday, drawing a surprisingly warm reaction from Chinese state media which is more used to disparaging her as a dangerous separatist.
South Africa starts long walk back to post-Zuma rehabilitation
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Cyril Ramaphosa is to be confirmed as South Africa’s president in a parliamentary vote on Thursday after scandal-ridden Jacob Zuma reluctantly resigned on orders from the ruling African National Congress.
Australia PM bans sex between ministers and staff after deputy’s ‘shocking’ affair
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday banned sex between ministers and staff and rounded on his deputy for a “shocking error of judgment” by having an affair with a press secretary.
More than 10,000 Afghan civilians killed or wounded last year, U.N. says
KABUL (Reuters) – More than 10,000 Afghan civilians were killed or wounded in violence last year, the United Nations said on Thursday, with militant bombings the main cause while air strikes by U.S. and government forces inflicted a rising toll.
Indonesian court indicts cleric accused of masterminding attacks
JAKARTA (Reuters) – An Indonesian court indicted radical Islamic cleric Aman Abdurrahman on Thursday over allegations he masterminded from his jail cell a series of attacks in the Muslim-majority nation, including a deadly 2016 gun and suicide bomb ass…
Bulgaria’s ruling party shuns treaty opposing violence against women due to lack of support
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that the ruling GERB party is withdrawing a European treaty designed to combat violence against women from ratification in parliament over strong opposition expressed by religious and polit…
Afghan Taliban say they want to end war through dialogue
KABUL (Reuters) – The Taliban said on Wednesday, in a rare statement to the American people, they wanted to end Afghanistan’s 17-year war through talks, while warning the message should not be seen as a sign of weakness and the fight against U.S. force…
Indigenous Mexican presidential candidate injured in highway accident
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – The first indigenous woman to run for the Mexican presidency was injured and at least one other person killed when a van in which she was traveling was involved in an accident in western Baja California state on Wednesday, campa…
Japan’s Abe, Trump agree to keep up pressure on North Korea
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to keep up pressure on North Korea until Pyongyang abandons its nuclear and missile programs, Japan’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.
Trump, Pena Nieto meeting planned for next few weeks: Mexican foreign ministry
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – A meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexico’s Enrique Pena Nieto is being planned for sometime during the next few weeks, Mexico’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
