Austrian Social Democrats move toward ending ban on far-right alliances
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austria’s ruling Social Democrats are responding to rising anti-establishment sentiment in a way that would be unthinkable in most European nations – by moving toward lifting a self-imposed ban on coalitions with the far-right Freedo…
EU expands sanctions against North Korea as Trump meets Xi
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union on Thursday expanded sanctions against North Korea over the country’s nuclear tests and launches of ballistic missiles.
U.S. trade group hacked with Chinese software ahead of Xi summit
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – A sophisticated hacking group that pursues Chinese government interests broke into the website of a private U.S. trade group ahead of Thursday’s summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, acco…
Russia building explosion was caused by renovation work
ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) – A loud bang heard on Thursday in a St Petersburg residential building was caused by renovation works and no one has been injured, rescue workers and local city administration told Reuters.
U.S. expects legal, open resolution of Ecuador election concerns
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department said on Thursday it expects concerns about the electoral process in Sunday’s second-round presidential election in Ecuador to be “fully considered and resolved in a legal and transparent manner.”
European lawmakers approve visa-free travel for Ukrainians
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Parliament on Thursday supported easing travel rules for Ukrainians, driving on a Western integration viewed with great suspicion by Moscow.
Syrian government sets terms for any inquiry into gas attack
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian government set conditions on Thursday for any international inquiry into a suspected chemical attack that killed scores of people, saying it must not be “politicized” and should set out from Damascus and not Turkey.
Is North Korea putting a nuclear-tipped bargaining chip on the table?
SEOUL (Reuters) – As the leaders of China and the United States sit down for a summit on Thursday, North Korea has made sure it also has something on the negotiating table: A nuclear-tipped bargaining chip.
China’s Xi urges trade cooperation in first meeting with Trump
PALM BEACH, Fla. (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping urged cooperation with the United States on trade and investment on Thursday, inviting President Donald Trump to visit China in a cordial start to their first meeting likely to broach sensitive …
Kurds ‘re-energize’ independence referendum plan for post-jihadist Iraq
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraq’s Kurds plan to hold a referendum on independence this year to press their case for “the best deal” on self-determination once Islamic State is defeated, a senior Kurdish official said.
