World Bank approves $150 million disaster fund for Dominican Republic
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The World Bank on Thursday approved $150 million in disaster financing for the Dominican Republic to help it better prepare for natural disasters, weeks after the country was pummeled by two major hurricanes.
Promoters of pop concerts, other events may ditch Malaysia as hard-line Islam gets a grip
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Organizers of pop concerts and some other big events are increasingly wary of including Malaysia on their itineraries, as the cancellation of a beer festival due to take place next month highlighted growing intolerance toward a…
Trump congratulates Merkel on election win, discusses Iran: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated German Chancellor Angela Merkel on her election victory in a telephone conversation on Thursday in which they also discussed the Iran nuclear deal, the White House said.
U.S. envoy to U.N. demands Myanmar prosecutions, weapons curbs, over Rohingya
UNITED NATIONS/YANGON (Reuters) – U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Thursday called on countries to suspend providing weapons to Myanmar over violence against Rohingya Muslims until the military puts sufficient accountability measure…
Senate confirms Huntsman as ambassador to Russia
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate confirmed former Utah governor Jon Huntsman on Thursday to be President Donald Trump’s ambassador to Russia, sending an experienced diplomat to fill the crucial post in Moscow.
Nigeria to hold presidential and parliamentary election on Feb. 16, 2019
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria’s next presidential and parliamentary elections will be held on Feb. 16, 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission said on its official Twitter account on Thursday.
Aid groups seek access to Myanmar conflict zone; 15 drown as boat capsizes
YANGON (Reuters) – International aid groups in Myanmar have urged the government to allow free access to Rakhine State, where an army offensive has sent more than 500,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh but hundreds of thousands remain cut off from food, …
Russia’s Putin says de facto conditions created for end to Syrian civil war
ANKARA (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the de facto conditions needed to end Syria’s civil had been achieved.
Myanmar violence could spread, displace more Rohingya: U.N. chief
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday that the violence against Myanamar’s Rohingya Muslims in the northern part of Rakhine state could spread to central Rakhine, where 250,000 more people were …
France wants compromise on U.N. Yemen inquiry as Saudi pressure mounts
PARIS/GENEVA (Reuters) – France is pushing for a compromise over a proposed resolution by the U.N. human rights body that would establish an international inquiry into atrocities in Yemen despite repeated opposition from Saudi Arabia, officials said on…
