Russia gears up for major war games, neighbors watch with unease
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia is preparing to hold large-scale military exercises it says will be of a purely defensive nature, amid concerns in neighboring nations that the drills may be used as a precursor for an invasion.
Pakistani court declares ex-military leader a fugitive in Bhutto murder case
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (Reuters) – A Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Thursday declared ex-military leader Pervez Musharraf a fugitive in the murder case of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and acquitted five people in the killing.
China sets mid-October date for key Communist Party congress
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s ruling Communist Party will hold a once-every-five-years congress starting on Oct. 18, state media said on Thursday, at which President Xi Jinping will look to further stamp his authority on the party.
As reality of Trump risk sinks in, Tokyo tries to keep ties tight
TOKYO (Reuters) – Six months after Japan’s premier bonded with Donald Trump on a golf course amid hopes he’d be a pragmatic partner, a consensus is emerging that Tokyo must reduce risks from the unpredictable president by forging ties with his more mai…
Heavy civilian casualties in Raqqa from air strikes: U.N.
GENEVA (Reuters) – Civilians caught up in the battle for the Syrian city of Raqqa are paying an “unacceptable price” and attacking forces may be contravening international law with their intense air strikes, the top United Nations human rights official…
France unveils labor reforms in first step to re-shaping economy
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron’s government announced reforms to loosen labor regulations and drive down unemployment, drawing criticism from unions but limited support for the street protests that have hindered previous reform bids…
After Taiwan alarm, China says air force drills were routine
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday that a recent series of air force exercises around self-ruled Taiwan were routine, after Taiwan’s military said this month it was on a high state of alert following three straight days of dr…
China says to beef up patrols along Indian border
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday that it would beef up patrols along a disputed stretch of its border with India but would also “adjust” deployments, after the two countries ended a more than two-month standoff.
Islamic State evacuation convoy will cross to Deir al-Zor: alliance commander
BEIRUT (Reuters) – An Islamic State evacuation convoy in eastern Syria that was blocked by U.S.-led air strikes will head from government-held Sukhna towards the IS-held Deir al-Zor region, a commander in the pro-Syrian government military alliance sai…
Thai court dismisses case against former PM over bloody 2010 crackdown
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a case against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for ordering a deadly crackdown on demonstrators protesting against his government in 2010.
