Japanese warship takes Asian guests on cruise in defiance of China
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Reuters) – Japan’s largest warship steamed into the South China Sea this week in defiance of Chinese assertiveness, with Asian military guests on board to witness helicopters looping over the tropical waters and gunners blasting target…
North Korea says U.S. student’s death a ‘mystery to us as well’
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea said on Friday the death of U.S. university student Otto Warmbier soon after his return home was a mystery and dismissed accusations that he had died because of torture and beating during his captivity as “groundless”.
Taliban say U.S. must quit Afghanistan for peace
KABUL (Reuters) – The Taliban warned on Friday against sending more Western troops to Afghanistan, while pledging that it sought only independence under Islamic rule and rejecting concerns it would harbor foreign militants.
German SPD wants gay marriage after September election
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) is making legalization of gay marriage a condition for its participation in any coalition government after September’s national election, party Secretary General Hubertus Heil said.
Sydney to erect barricades to prevent vehicle attacks: police
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Sydney will install concrete barricades in a prominent pedestrian-only thoroughfare to mitigate against the risk of a vehicle attack by extremists, Australian police said on Friday, after recent incidents in Europe and the United Sta…
France dismisses call for new Calais migrant center, sees more police
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s interior minister rejected calls from charities for a new migrant reception center in the northern port of Calais, where hundreds who have fled war and poverty are again roaming the streets in search of food and shelter.
British PM May defends Brexit rights offer in face of EU doubts
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Theresa May defended her offer to let millions of EU citizens stay in Britain after Brexit as fellow EU leaders responded coolly on Friday to her opening move in negotiations on Britain’s withdrawal.
Grenade-thrower gets 28 years jail in French jihadist cell trial
PARIS (Reuters) – A French jihadist who threw a grenade at a Jewish store in 2012 was sentenced overnight to 28 years in prison by a court which also sent several others to jail after the dismantling of an Islamist cell which had planned other attacks….
Turkey welcomes U.S. pledge to take weapons from Kurds after Islamic State defeat
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey regards as a “positive step” a U.S. pledge to take back weapons supplied to the Kurdish YPG militia in Syria after the defeat of Islamic State and said its implementation was essential, Defense Minister Fikri Isik said on Fr…
Baghdadi death near 100 percent certain: Interfax quotes Russian senator
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The likelihood that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed is close to 100 percent, Interfax news agency quoted the head of the defense committee in Russia’s upper parliamentary house as saying on Friday.
