U.S. House approves tighter North Korea sanctions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation on Thursday to tighten sanctions on North Korea by targeting its shipping industry and companies that do business with the reclusive state.
Tillerson urges ASEAN to cut North Korea funding, minimize ties
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Thursday to do more to help cut funding streams for North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and to minimize diplomatic relations with Pyongyang.
U.N. condemns ‘callous’ attack on base in South Sudan
JUBA (Reuters) – An overnight attack against a U.N. operating base in northern South Sudan showed “callous disregard” for civilians and aid workers, the head of the U.N. mission in the war-ravaged country said on Thursday.
Swiss bank account ‘spy thriller’ case may deepen, says German official
BERLIN (Reuters) – A German state minister expressed alarm on Thursday at reports Switzerland had a spy in the regional finance ministry to find out how it obtained details of secret Swiss bank accounts, saying it threatened to compound a scandal that …
Trump, Colombia’s Santos to meet May 18 at White House: statement
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump will host Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos this month to discuss the implementation of Bogota’s peace accord as well as efforts to counter “democratic backsliding in Venezuela,” according to the …
Thousands protest at Yemen president’s sacking of southern leaders
ADEN (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Yemenis protested in Aden on Thursday against President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s sacking of the provincial governor and a cabinet minister widely praised for helping drive Iran-aligned Houthis from the city in 2015…
Syrian rebels reject Russia’s proposal for safe zones
ASTANA (Reuters) – Syria’s armed opposition on Thursday rejected a Russian plan to create safe zones in Syria, calling it a threat to the country’s territorial integrity, and said it would also not recognize Iran as a guarantor of any ceasefire plan.
U.S. military to pitch revised Afghan war plan to Trump in next week
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. military said on Thursday it will offer recommendations on the war in Afghanistan to President Donald Trump within the next week, amid expectations of a request for thousands of more troops to break a stalemate with Tali…
EU’s Tusk says Brexit talks will be ‘impossible’ if emotions unchecked
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Britain’s looming negotiations with the European Union on exiting the bloc are already very tough and will become “impossible” if emotions are allowed to run unchecked, the chairman of EU summits said on Thursday.
Trump to wade into Middle East politics on first foreign trip
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will travel to Saudi Arabia and Israel this month, kicking off his first foreign trip, where he will work to reinvigorate traditional alliances in the region.
