Pope begins Myanmar trip in shadow of Rohingya crisis
YANGON (Reuters) – Pope Francis landed in Yangon on Monday, the start of a delicate visit for the world’s most prominent Christian to majority-Buddhist Myanmar, which the United States has accused of “ethnic cleansing” its Muslim Rohingya people.
Zimbabwe cabinet pick to show if Mnangagwa is breaking with the past
HARARE (Reuters) – New Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to form a new cabinet this week, with all eyes on whether he breaks with the past and names a broad-based government or selects old guard figures from Robert Mugabe’s era.
Thousands stranded as Bali volcano alert raised to highest level
DENPASAR, Indonesia (Reuters) – Indonesia raised its warning for Bali’s Mount Agung volcano to the top level four alert on Monday, closed the holiday island’s airport and told residents around the mountain to immediately evacuate, warning of an “immine…
Honduran president claims win, slow vote results anger rivals
TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) – Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, a center-right U.S. ally, declared victory in the Central American nation’s election on Sunday, but a lack of official results hours after the vote ended irked his key rival who also cl…
South Korea warns North not to repeat armistice violation
PANMUNJOM, South Korea (Reuters) – North Korea violated an armistice agreement with South Korea this month when North Korean soldiers shot and wounded a North Korean soldier as he defected across their border and it must not do so again, South Korea’s …
Queensland result leaves Australian PM closer to edge
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The loss of a state election in Queensland has stepped up pressure on Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who risks losing control of parliament at a by-election next month.
Pakistani Islamist group to call off nationwide protests after govt backs down
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – A Pakistani hardline Islamist group on Monday said it would call off nationwide protests after the government agreed to its demands and the law minister resigned, following weekend clashes between its supporters and police that pa…
Mexico finance minister to resign as presidency race looms: sources
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican finance minister Jose Antonio Meade will step down on Monday, two people familiar with the matter said on Sunday, as the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) gears up to pick its candidate for the 2018 presiden…
Thousands travel to Yangon for Pope’s diplomatically fraught trip
YANGON (Reuters) – Thousands of Catholics gathered in Yangon on Monday after journeys by train and bus, excited to get a glimpse of Pope Francis, who begins a trip to Myanmar fraught with diplomatic risk over its treatment of the minority Muslim Rohing…
Xi wants China to spruce up toilets to boost tourism, quality of life
BEIJING (Reuters) – China must keep up efforts to “revolutionize” its toilets until the task is completed, state media quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping as saying on Monday, amid efforts to boost the domestic tourist industry and improve the quality …
