China pledges small increase in funding for BRICS
XIAMEN, China (Reuters) – China will give 500 million yuan ($76.4 million) for a BRICS economic and technology cooperation plan, and another $4 million for projects at the BRICS countries’ New Development Bank, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Mond…
Hong Kong scraps 24-hour BBC World Service radio channel despite criticism
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s public broadcaster RTHK dropped a 24-hour BBC World Service channel from its airwaves on Monday, replacing it with state radio from China in what critics say is a sign of encroaching Chinese control in the former Briti…
South Korea, U.S. plan more drills after North Korea nuclear test rattles globe
SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – South Korea said on Monday it was preparing fresh military drills with its ally the United States and ramping up its ballistic missile defenses in response to North Korea’s sixth and most powerful nuclear test a day earlier…
After political storm, Indonesia president faces economic clouds
JAKARTA (Reuters) – During the first months of this year, President Joko Widodo was an embattled leader grappling with Indonesia’s most serious political and religious tensions in two decades. Now, he has come through the storm looking stronger than ev…
South Korea conducts missile drill after North Korea nuclear test rattles globe
SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – South Korea’s military carried out a missile drill on Monday in response to North Korea’s sixth nuclear test, while global markets reacted to the sharp escalation in tensions between Pyongyang and the United States.
North Korea conducts hydrogen bomb test; U.S. pledges ‘massive’ response if threatened
SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – North Korea on Sunday conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, which it said was of an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile, prompting the threat of a “massive” military response from the United States…
Syrian army, allies race to relieve Deir al-Zor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria’s army and its allies raced towards their enclave in the Euphrates city of Deir al-Zor after a rapid advance on Sunday, seeking to relieve it after years of Islamic State siege as jihadist defenses suddenly collapsed.
Merkel survives challenger’s onslaught to win election TV debate
BERLIN (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared to hold her ground in a television debate ahead of German elections, under attack from her Social Democrat (SPD) rival on refugee policy, ties with Turkey and her handling of U.S. President Donald Tr…
UK says defense commitment in Nordic and Baltic states won’t waver after Brexit
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain will pledge on Monday that its commitment to security and defense in Nordic and Baltic nations will not change after Brexit, seeking to reassure states affected by what foreign minister Boris Johnson described as “Russian ant…
In shift, Merkel backs end to EU-Turkey membership talks
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday she would seek an end to Turkey’s membership talks with the European Union in an apparent shift of her position during a televised debate weeks before a German election.
