Iraq launches final offensive on Islamic State, near Syrian border
(Reuters) – Iraqi forces launched on Thursday an offensive to recapture the last patch of Iraqi territory still in the hands of Islamic State, on the border area with Syria, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said.
Iraqi PM Abadi insists outcome of Kurdish independence referendum be canceled
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s prime minister insisted on Thursday that the Kurdish independence referendum be declared void, an apparent rejection of the Kurdistan region’s offer to “freeze” its independence push as part of efforts to resolve the crisis t…
Sea of black as thousands gather in Thailand for late king’s funeral
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Amid beating drums, the whistle of an ancient flute and an artillery salute, Thailand began a lavish and elaborate ceremony on Thursday steeped in ancient rites for the funeral and cremation of revered late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Turkey to detain 121 ex-foreign ministry staff over Gulen links: media
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish police began an operation to detain 121 former foreign ministry staff across the country on Thursday over their alleged links to the U.S.-based cleric who Ankara says orchestrated last year’s attempted coup, state-run Anado…
Burning barricades mark start of Kenya election re-run
KISUMU, Kenya (Reuters) – Polling stations in Kenyan opposition strongholds were shuttered on Thursday and youths burnt street barricades, heeding an election boycott set to hand victory to President Uhuru Kenyatta, but with a mandate compromised by lo…
Iraq launches military operation to recapture western border region
(Reuters) – Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi announced early on Thursday an offensive to recapture the western border region of al-Qaim and Rawa, close to the Syrian border, from the Islamic State militant group.
NZ Prime Minister heads to trade talks with foreign investment ban on her mind
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday she will seek to renegotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement in Vietnam in two weeks’ time to allow the government to ban foreign speculators buying New Zea…
Taiwan president calls for breakthrough in cross-straits relations
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan and China need to drop historical baggage to seek a breakthrough in cross-straits relations, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said in her first public comments since China’s ruling Communist Party unveiled a new leadership line-u…
Thai capital draped in yellow as tens of thousands gather for late king’s funeral
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Amid beating drums, the whistle of an ancient flute and an artillery salute, Thailand began an elaborate ceremony steeped in ancient rites to mark the start on Thursday of a lavish cremation ceremony for revered late King Bhumibol A…
Turkish court releases eight rights activists on bail in terrorism trial
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A Turkish court on Wednesday ordered the release on bail of eight human rights activists, including the director of the local branch of Amnesty International, pending a verdict in their trial on terrorism charges.
