Presidential hopefuls spar over economy as Trump turns screws on Iran
LONDON (Reuters) – President Hassan Rouhani’s trip to the coal mine in northern Iran was all going to plan, until the crowd massed in front of his car chanting “it’s a day of mourning for workers”.
Syria will abide by ‘de-escalation’ plan: foreign minister
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria’s foreign minister said on Monday Damascus would abide by Russia’s plan for “de-escalation” zones if rebels observed it, adding the insurgents should help drive jihadists from opposition-controlled areas.
Nothing to see here, Philippines tells U.N. Human Rights Council
GENEVA (Reuters) – There has been no new wave of killings prompted by the Philippines’ war on drugs, and reports to the contrary are “alternative facts”, an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte told the U.N. Human Rights Council on Monday.
Merkel’s conservatives aim for state-level tie-up with FDP, Greens
BERLIN (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives hope to form a coalition with the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) and the Greens in Schleswig-Holstein after a decisive election victory in the north German state on Sunday.
Philippines Duterte names ex-army general as environment minister
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed a former military man as the new environment minister after Congress dismissed his first choice, who ordered the closure of more than half of the mines in the world’s top nickel ore …
UK PM May reaffirms aim to bring down net immigration to ‘tens of thousands’ per year
LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday her Conservative Party would keep its pledge to bring down net immigration to the United Kingdom down to “tens of thousands” per year if it wins an election next month.
Indonesia to probe jail break as 150 inmates remain on the run
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia has launched an investigation into accusations of mistreatment by prison guards, after around 350 inmates broke out of an overcrowded jail on Sumatra island in Riau Province last week, an official said on Monday.
U.S.-backed militias say they made new advance against Islamic State in Tabqa
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A group of Kurdish and Arab militias supported by the United States captured a district of the town of Tabqa from Islamic State on Monday, they said in a statement, a step towards the capture of Syria’s largest dam.
Facebook warns of fake news danger ahead of British election
LONDON (Reuters) – Facebook has launched a British newspaper advertising campaign to warn users of the dangers of fake news, in the latest drive by the social media giant to tackle malicious information ahead of a national election.
Macau monitors ATM withdrawals, raids casinos as top official visits
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Macau plans to add security features to ATMs to monitor withdrawals, authorities in the world’s largest gambling hub said as the Chinese territory seeks to tighten restrictions on cash flows out of the mainland.
