Tillerson to press China on North Korea in tough first Asia trip
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson faces a tough first trip to Asia this week when the former oil executive will seek to reassure nervous allies facing North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threat and press China to do mor…
China begins new work on disputed South China Sea island
HONG KONG (Reuters) – China has started fresh construction work in the disputed South China Sea, new satellite images show, a sign that Beijing is continuing to strengthen its military reach across the vital trade waterway.
Aid convoys reach four Syrian towns, first time since November
GENEVA (Reuters) – Aid convoys reached four besieged towns in Syria on Tuesday, delivering food and medical supplies to 60,000 people for the first time since November, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and United Nations said.
Trump Middle East envoy meets Palestinian leader Abbas
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy held his first talks on Tuesday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, amid Palestinian concerns that the new administration in Washington is more favorably disposed tow…
Israel shuts Palestinian map office, citing sovereignty breach
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel ordered the closure of an office in Arab East Jerusalem on Tuesday saying it was funded by the Palestinian Authority and involved with monitoring the sale of Palestinian property to Jews, police said.
Saudi deputy crown prince, Trump meeting a ‘turning point’: Saudi adviser
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia hailed a “historical turning point” in U.S.-Saudi relations after a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the two leaders’ shared view that Iran posed a r…
Colombia’s Santos apologizes for illegal funds paid into campaigns
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos on Tuesday acknowledged that funds were illegally obtained during his 2010 election campaign and asked the nation’s forgiveness for the “shameful” act.
Pakistan PM orders ‘blasphemous’ content be removed from social media
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday ordered that “blasphemous” content on social media websites be removed or blocked and those posting such material “strictly punished.”
South Africa’s Gordhan confident welfare benefits to be paid April 1
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – South Africa’s Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Tuesday he was “fairly confident” social security payments will be paid on April 1 despite a service-provider dispute that has cast doubt over the welfare benefits.
Water reaches pumping station in Syrian city of Aleppo: state TV
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Water has reached a pumping station inside Aleppo and will “soon” go out to residential districts in the city, Syrian state media said on Tuesday.
