Trump makes early move on restricting abortions around the world
NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday reinstated a global gag rule that bans U.S.-funded groups around the world from discussing abortion, a move that was widely expected but nonetheless dismayed women’s rights a…
Russia says U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan would worsen situation – Ifax
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that any decision by the United States to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan would worsen the situation in the country, Interfax news agency reported.
China tourism body backs boycott of Japanese hotel group APA
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China’s tourism administration has urged tour operators to sever ties with a Japanese hotel chain after an escalating row over the hotelier’s denial of the 1937 massacre by Japanese troops in the Chinese city of Nanjing.
Iraqi forces preparing offensive on western Mosul, commander says
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi forces have started preparing an offensive to capture the western side of Mosul from Islamic State, campaign commander Lieutenant General Abdul Ameer Rasheed Yarallah said.
Turkey will not hand over al-Bab to Syrian government forces: deputy PM
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Claims that Turkey will hand over the Syrian town of al-Bab to President Bashar al-Assad’s forces after driving out Islamic State are not true, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told the state-run Anadolu agency on Tues…
China urges U.S. to act and speak cautiously on South China Sea
BEIJING (Reuters) – China urged the United States on Tuesday to act and speak cautiously on the South China Sea, saying China has irrefutable sovereignty over the Spratly Islands.
Brexit is opportunity to pull Europe closer together: EU official
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The European Union Parliament’s chief Brexit negotiator on Monday said Britain’s decision to make a clean break from the EU was an opportunity to reform Europe and avoid a further breakdown in ties between its remaining member stat…
Trump White House lowers expectations for quick embassy move in Israel
JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump’s team spoke often about moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. But since taking office, the contentious issue has become more nuanced and may alread…
Czechs say Polish man released after being held in Syria since 2015
PRAGUE (Reuters) – A Polish man was released and handed to the Polish ambassador in Lebanon on Monday after being held by Syrian authorities since late 2015, the Czech presidential office said.
Merkel says populism won’t solve world’s problems
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday that openness, not populism, polarization or isolation, was the answer to the world’s challenges of globalization and digitalization.
