China’s Xi taps low-profile official to take over war on graft
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday tapped a low-profile official to lead his signature war on corruption, replacing the retiring Wang Qishan, whose sweeping anti-graft campaign had made him China’s second most-powerful politi…
India tells U.S. it plans to retain North Korea embassy as a channel of communications
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India on Wednesday told U. S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson it plans to retain its North Korean embassy, so as to keep open channels of communication as Washington steps up global pressure to isolate Pyongyang for its nuclear a…
UK aims for outline Brexit transition deal by first quarter of 2018
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain wants an outline agreement with the European Union by the first quarter of 2018 on the transitional arrangements that will apply temporarily after it leaves the bloc, Brexit minister David Davis said on Wednesday.
Thailand kicks off sumptuous funeral of King Bhumibol Adulyadej
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand on Wednesday marked the start of a lavish, five-day funeral for King Bhumibol Adulyadej with a Buddhist religious ceremony attended by senior members of its royal family.
Vietnam jails student activist six years for propaganda against the state
(Reuters) – A Vietnamese student activist was jailed for six years plus four years of probation by a local court on Wednesday for conducting propaganda against the state, his lawyer said.
Kenya crisis deepens as vote delay petition goes unheard
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya plunged deeper into crisis on Wednesday as a shortage of judges scuppered an eleventh-hour petition to delay a presidential election and the governor of a volatile opposition region endorsed rebellion against the state.
UK expects EU guidance on Brexit transition deal by December: minister
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain expects the European Union to provide guidance on its approach to a Brexit transitional deal by December, Brexit minister David Davis said on Wednesday, outlining his hopes of reaching a swift deal.
Kurds offer to suspend independence drive, seek talks with Baghdad
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Kurdish authorities in Iraq offered on Wednesday to put an independence drive on hold, stepping up efforts to resolve a crisis in relations with Baghdad via dialogue.
Mattis praises Philippine army on winning fight in Marawi without rights abuse
CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday praised Filipino soldiers for defeating pro-Islamic State militants in a five-month battle in a southern Philippine city without allegations of human rights vio…
German police find guns, ammunition in raid of suspected Islamist militant
BERLIN (Reuters) – German police confiscated large amounts of guns and ammunition in a Tuesday evening sweep of four locations in Berlin linked to a 40-year-old German man suspected of belonging to militant Islamist circles, police said on Wednesday.
