French amphibious carrier visits Japan ahead of Pacific show of power
SASEBO (Reuters) – As tension spikes on the Korean peninsula, a French amphibious assault carrier sailed into Japan’s naval base of Sasebo on Saturday ahead of drills that risk upsetting China, which faces U.S. pressure to rein in North Korea’s arms pr…
China deports U.S. citizen convicted of espionage
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China has deported a U.S. citizen who was convicted of espionage this week after being held without trial for two years, removing a source of friction between Washington and Beijing.
SE Asian summit ends in uncertainty over South China Sea stance
MANILA (Reuters) – Southeast Asian leaders wrapped up a summit on Saturday with no indication of an agreement on how to address Beijing’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, a divisive issue in a region uncertain about its ties with the United States…
Brazil Supreme Court releases former billionaire Batista from jail
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian Supreme Court justice Gilmar Mendes ordered the release from jail of former mining and oil magnate Eike Batista, once the country’s richest man, ahead of his trial on corruption charges, the court said on Friday.
EU sets Britain tough divorce terms, slams budget veto
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union leaders endorsed stiff divorce terms for Britain on Saturday and warned Britons to have “no illusions” about swiftly securing a new relationship to keep their access to EU markets.
Strong earthquake hits off Philippines, no major impact seen
MANILA (Reuters) – A strong earthquake measuring 7.2 struck off the coast of Mindanao island in the Philippines on Saturday, and the country’s seismology agency advised people to stay away from coastal areas but expected no major damage.
Brazil’s Temer deplores violent protests, says to press ahead with reforms
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s President Michel Temer deplored violent clashes in Rio de Janeiro during a national strike on Friday but said his government would press ahead with its agenda of reforms aimed at balancing the budget.
North Korea test-fires ballistic missile in defiance of world pressure
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile on Saturday shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned that failure to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs could lead to “catastrophic consequences”.
Pope, at Cairo Mass, urges unity against fanaticism
CAIRO (Reuters) – Pope Francis warned against religious fanaticism on Saturday, wrapping up a brief trip to Cairo where he urged Muslim leaders to unite against violence by Islamic militants threatening to rid the Middle East of its ancient Christian c…
Islamic State claims car bombing in Baghdad, four police killed
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Four Iraqi traffic policemen were killed on Friday when a suicide car bomb detonated outside their station, close to a street where several foreign media have offices in Baghdad, a security spokesman said.
