Trump tells Israel peace means compromise; U.S. envoy under fire
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump told Israel on Friday that it too would need to make “significant compromises” for peace with the Palestinians, even as they accused one of his Middle East envoys of bogging down diplomacy with what the…
Pence avoids encounter with North Korean official as Olympics begin
SEOUL/PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Mike Pence made only a brief appearance at a reception marking the start of the Winter Olympics on Friday, avoiding a potentially awkward encounter with the ceremonial leader of North Korea…
China says U.S. bill on Taiwan ties threatens stability
BEIJING (Reuters) – A U.S. bill that encourages reciprocal visits by U.S. and Taiwanese government officials threatens stability in the Taiwan Strait and the United States must withdraw it, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
Islamic State fighters move to Syria’s Idlib, clash with factions: report
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Islamic State fighters clashed with Syrian insurgent factions in the northwestern province of Idlib on Friday, a war monitor and a rebel commander said, accusing pro-government forces of opening a corridor for the jihadists to reach …
Quake-hit Taiwan city winds down rescue efforts, five still missing
HUALIEN, Taiwan (Reuters) – Rescue operations in Taiwan started to wind down on Friday after a devastating 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocked the tourist area of Hualien this week, taking a toll of 12 dead and five missing.
Turkey orders arrest of pro-Kurdish party leader: agency
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey has ordered the arrest of 17 people including the co-leader of the main pro-Kurdish political party over opposition to the military’s offensive in Syria, the state-run Anadolu news agency said on Friday.
Youth wing demands change in Merkel’s party after coalition concessions
BERLIN (Reuters) – The youth wing of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives on Friday demanded the bloc renew itself and build up a successor, warning it does not have much time after securing a much criticized coalition deal.
U.S. urges Cambodia to take back deportees
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – The United States has urged Cambodia to take back people that Washington wants to deport, a U.S. official visiting Cambodia said on Friday, referring to Cambodians who have been convicted of crimes or overstayed their visas.
Syrian rebel-held area suffers bloodiest week since 2015: monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian rebel-held area Eastern Ghouta of Damascus has suffered its bloodiest week since 2015 as a result of government bombardment, with 229 people killed in the last four days, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Fri…
North Korea, U.S. set for icy encounter at Olympics as North delegation arrives
INCHEON/PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (Reuters) – North Korea’s ceremonial leader and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence may have their first face-to-face encounter on Friday at the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, as Washington prepares mor…
