Russia’s Lavrov to meet Syrian opposition in Moscow on Jan. 27: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet Syrian opposition representatives in Moscow on January 27, RIA news agency cited the Russian foreign ministry as saying on Wednesday.
Artist defends nude portrait of Korea’s Park after brush with law
SEOUL (Reuters) – An impressionist-style painting of impeached South Korean President Park Geun-hye lying in the nude has caused a new uproar in a country already engulfed in a corruption scandal and political crisis.
Thai junta gives go-ahead to buy Chinese submarine and tanks
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s military government has approved 13.5 billion baht ($380 million) to buy a submarine from China after putting the purchase on hold last year, Thai officials said on Wednesday.
American’s appeal dismissed over jail for 1997 Korean burger bar murder
SEOUL (Reuters) – An American lost his appeal on Wednesday against a 20-year jail term for the murder of a Korean student stabbed in a burger bar 20 years ago, a case that sparked huge hostility towards U.S. military bases in South Korea.
Trump’s defense chief eyes debut trip to Japan, South Korea next week
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s defense secretary plans to visit Japan and South Korea next week, choosing the two close U.S. allies for his debut trip abroad as Pentagon chief, a U.S. official said on Tuesday, speaking on conditio…
U.S. adds extra aircraft to Marine force in Australia
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The United States will send extra military aircraft to Australia’s tropical north this year, a U.S. Marine Corps spokesman said on Wednesday, bolstering its military presence close to the disputed South China Sea.
New Zealand government orders building repairs due to quake risks
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – The New Zealand government said on Wednesday it will require building owners to urgently fix hundreds of hazardous buildings due to concerns over the heightened earthquake risk following a deadly tremor in November.
Knights of Malta head resigns after dispute with Vatican
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The head of the Knights of Malta, who has been locked in a bitter dispute with the Vatican, has resigned, a spokesperson for the Rome-based Catholic chivalric and charity institution said on Wednesday.
China foreign minister says wants to manage disputes with U.S.
BEIJING (Reuters) – China wants dialogue with the new U.S. administration to manage disputes and promote bilateral relations, but only on the basis of respecting each other’s core interests, like the “one China” principle, China’s foreign minister said…
Israel plans more than 2,500 new settler homes to start Trump era
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel announced plans on Tuesday for 2,500 more settlement homes in the occupied West Bank, the second such declaration since U.S. President Donald Trump took office signaling he could be more accommodating toward such projects t…
