China’s Xi sees ‘challenges’ in Hong Kong as Beijing dismisses any UK role
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping, visiting Hong Kong for the 20th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule, said on Friday the city’s “one country, two systems” formula faces “new challenges” as pro-democracy campaigners ramped up th…
Myanmar says it will refuse entry to U.N. investigators probing Rohingya abuses
YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar will refuse entry to members of a United Nations probe focusing on allegations of killings, rape and torture by security forces against Rohingya Muslims, an official said on Friday.
Pens, lipstick, opium among banned items at China’s Hong Kong military base
HONG KONG (Reuters) – For the thousands of Chinese soldiers stationed in Hong Kong, the pen, it appears, is mightier than the sword.
Indian army chief tours border state with China amid tensions
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s army chief visited the mountainous state of Sikkim bordering China on Thursday, where tensions have flared after Beijing accused New Delhi of sending troops into its territory and obstructing the construction of a road.
Hong Kong releases 26 arrested ahead of visit by China leader
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong police on Friday released 26 pro-democracy protesters arrested on the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the city to mark the 20th anniversary of its handover from Britain to China.
China builds new military facilities on South China Sea islands: think tank
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – China has built new military facilities on islands in the South China Sea, a U.S. think tank reported on Thursday, a move that could raise tensions with Washington, which has accused Beijing of militarizing the vital waterway.
Indonesia’s gay community driven underground after police raids
JAKARTA (Reuters) – When an angry mob of Islamists threatened to burn down a place hosting a gay and lesbian film festival in Jakarta in 2010, Indonesian police came to protect those staging it.
Merkel issues warning to Trump ahead of G20 summit
BERLIN/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel promised to fight for free trade and press on with multilateral efforts to combat climate change at the G20 summit next week, challenging the “America First” policies of U.S. President Donal…
Chemical weapons watchdog says sarin used in April attack in Syria
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The world’s chemical weapons watchdog said the banned nerve agent sarin was used in an attack in northern Syria in April that killed dozens of people, a report from a fact-finding team seen by Reuters on Thursday showed.
U.S. plans to sell Taiwan about $1.42 billion in arms
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States plans to sell Taiwan $1.42 billion in arms, the first such sale under the administration of Donald Trump and a move sure to anger China, whose help the president has been seeking to rein in North Korea.
