EU’s Barnier says no update from Britain on Brexit
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday that he had received no update from London on what sort of relation it wanted with the bloc after Brexit.
Italy’s League leaves northern bastions, bangs anti-migrant drum
HERCULANEUM, Italy (Reuters) – The rightist Northern League once derided southern Italy as a crime-riddled, parasitic wasteland. It now sees it as a vote-rich territory that could help lead it to victory in next month’s national election.
Thai groups consider new political parties ahead of November vote
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Representatives of 114 political groups met Thailand’s election panel on Friday, in one of the first signs the country is readying for a general election the junta has promised to hold in November, with many pledging support for the…
Explosion at mosque in Libyan city of Benghazi: residents
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – An explosion took place at a mosque in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on Friday, residents said.
China says new stealth fighter put into combat service
BEIJING (Reuters) – China has put into combat service its new generation J-20 stealth fighter, a warplane it hopes will narrow the military gap with the United States, the Chinese air force said on Friday, making it operationally ready.
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.
