Britain’s May wins parliament’s backing for June 8 snap election
LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister Theresa May won parliament’s backing for an early election on Wednesday, a vote she said would strengthen her hand in divorce talks with the European Union and help heal divisions in Britain.
Syria evacuations resume days after bombing: state media, war monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Evacuations from four besieged areas of Syria resumed on Wednesday, Syrian state television, a Hezbollah media unit and a war monitor reported, days after a suicide bombing killed dozens in a convoy which was part of the same recipro…
Turkey’s electoral board will evaluate complaints on referendum on Wednesday: NTV
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s High Electoral Board (YSK) will on Wednesday evaluate complaints and appeals for annulment of Sunday’s referendum on boosting powers of the presidency, broadcaster NTV cited the head of the board as saying.
Marines’ commander in Australia says U.S. remains committed to Asia pivot
DARWIN (Reuters) – U.S. Marines deployed to Australia’s northern city of Darwin reflect President Donald Trump’s continued commitment to a security “pivot” to Asia at a time of heightened tensions, the Marines’ commander said on Wednesday.
Approval for Duterte’s drug war slips in Philippines
MANILA (Reuters) – Satisfaction in the Philippines with President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs declined in the first quarter this year, a survey showed on Wednesday, with opinions split about police accounts that the drug suspects they killed had res…
China’s Xi restructures military, consolidates control
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced a military restructure of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to transform it into a leaner fighting force with improved joint operations capability, state media said.
Thai king’s cremation set for Oct. 26: government official
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s late King Bhumibol Adulyadej will be cremated on Oct. 26, a government official said on Wednesday, adding that the king’s funeral will take place over a five day period.
U.S. says Iran complies with nuke deal but orders review on lifting sanctions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Trump administration said on Tuesday it was launching an inter-agency review of whether the lifting of sanctions against Iran was in the United States’ national security interests, while acknowledging that Tehran was complyin…
South Korea set to open lavish casino as missile spat scares off Chinese gamblers
SEOUL/MACAU (Reuters) – South Korea’s first casino resort has been unlucky with the timing of its grand opening this week as a diplomatic spat scares off gamblers from neighboring China who usually account for about half of Korea’s foreigner gaming rev…
Brazil lawmakers approve debt relief, austerity measures for states
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s lower house of Congress on Tuesday approved the main text of a bill granting debt relief to cash-strapped states that adopt belt-tightening measures, in a victory for President Michel Temer’s austerity program.
