Pence views Japan’s missile defense with North Korea on agenda for talks
TOKYO (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Mike Pence visited a Japanese Patriot PAC-3 missile battery, Japan’s last line of defense against any possible North Korean missile strike, in Tokyo on Wednesday on his way to the Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Syrian air defenses respond to ‘new Israeli aggression’ near Damascus: state media
CAIRO (Reuters) – Syrian state media said early on Wednesday that Syrian air defenses had responded to what it described as “a new Israeli aggression” in the countryside around Damascus.
Tillerson praises Colombia aid to Venezuelans, anti-drug efforts
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday said the United States is heartbroken by the economic and social situation effecting Venezuela and appreciates Colombia’s help in dealing with the humanitarian crisis.
North Korea’s cheer squad, sports officials arrive in South Korea
SEOUL (Reuters) – A group of 280 North Koreans arrived in South Korea on Wednesday, one of the largest peacetime crossings of the inter-Korean border, to spur on athletes from the two Koreas at the Winter Olympics starting Friday.
At least two killed, 150 missing after quake rocks Taiwan tourist area
HUALIEN, Taiwan (Reuters) – Rescuers combed through the rubble of collapsed buildings on Wednesday, some using their hands as they searched for about 150 people missing after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck near the popular Taiwanese tourist city of …
Tillerson says he is encouraged by Colombia’s efforts to combat drugs, crime
BOGOTA (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Tuesday he is encouraged by Colombia’s efforts to combat coca cultivation and crime.
Cuban independent media say no thanks to Trump free press initiative
HAVANA (Reuters) – Leading Cuban independent media said they want nothing to do with a Trump administration initiative to foster more such outlets on the communist-run isle, contending it interferes in Cuba’s politics and creates the impression they ar…
Trump, Britain’s May discuss North Korea by phone: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May, in a telephone conversation on Tuesday, agreed that “all responsible nations must increase pressure on North Korea until it turns to the path of denuclearization…
Blackout hits parts of Venezuelan capital
CARACAS (Reuters) – A power outage hit parts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on Tuesday, according to witnesses and subway authorities, forcing at least 10 subway stations to close while traffic signals and phone lines were also down at rush-hour.
U.S. deplores Turkey’s re-arrest of Amnesty International official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States said on Tuesday it was “deeply troubled” by Turkey’s re-arrest of the chairman of the local arm of Amnesty International, and called on its NATO ally to end its state of emergency and safeguard the rule of law.
