Merkel under fire from own ranks over German coalition deal
BERLIN (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel faced criticism from within the ranks of her own conservatives on Thursday for making concessions to her center-left Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners to seal a governing alliance a day earlier.
North Korea says no U.S. talks planned at Olympics as Pence heads to Seoul
SEOUL, South Korea (Reuters) – North Korea has no intention of meeting U.S. officials during the Winter Olympics that start in South Korea on Friday, state media reported, dampening hopes the Games will help resolve a tense standoff over the North’s nu…
Exclusive: Uighur Thai jail escapees detained in Malaysia and China wants them back – sources
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Eleven ethnic Uighur Muslims from China, missing since their dramatic escape from a Thai jail last year, have been detained in Malaysia and Beijing wants them back, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Along fortified Korean border, Olympics bring more VIPs, tourists
PANMUNJOM, South Korea (Reuters) – Along the heavily fortified border between North and South Korea, the Olympic thaw in relations has led to more tourists and VIPs and fewer security incidents, tour operators and international soldiers stationed there…
Philippines says ICC examining complaint against Duterte over drug war deaths
MANILA (Reuters) – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has informed the Philippines that it has begun a preliminary examination of a complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte that accuses him of crimes against humanity, his spokesman said on Thurs…
Olympics: Fire breaks out near Media Village
PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (Reuters) – Emergency services scrambled on Thursday to deal with a fire which broke out near the Winter Olympics Media Village.
More than 100 pro-Syrian forces killed after thwarted attack: U.S. official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – More than 100 fighters aligned with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were killed after U.S.-led coalition and coalition-backed local forces thwarted a large, apparently coordinated attack late on Wednesday and early on Thursday, …
Thirty-five Thai activists report to police after junta protest
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A group of Thai activists reported to police on Thursday to acknowledge charges brought against them, including charges of illegal assembly, after they staged a demonstration in Bangkok last month to protest a delay to a general ele…
Pence says U.S. wants peaceful solution to North Korea crisis, but warns not to underestimate U.S.
TOKYO (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Thursday the United States wants to peacefully dismantle North Korea’s nuclear program but warned Pyongyang not to underestimate U.S. military strength or resolve.
Aftershocks rattle Taiwan as quake toll rises to 10, 58 missing
HUALIEN, Taiwan (Reuters) – Scores of aftershocks hampered rescue efforts on Thursday as emergency personnel combed through collapsed buildings in search of survivors after a powerful earthquake killed at least 10 people near Taiwan’s popular tourist c…
