Humanitarian support ‘Band-Aid’ for unresolved Afghanistan conflict, officials say
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan’s continued descent into crisis is forcing the country to increasingly rely on humanitarian aid that can only provide short-term relief while leaving the underlying problems unsolved, international officials acknowledged on Saturday, even as they launched a request for $550 million (£444.4 million) in new funding.
Afghanistan’s Abdullah welcomes Trump commitment to troops
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah on Saturday expressed hope that the United States would continue its support for the Afghan government after American President Donald Trump publicly spoke with U.S. troops stationed in Afghani…
Turkish parliament approves presidential system, paving way for referendum
ANKARA (Reuters) – The Turkish parliament has backed a plan to strengthen the powers of the presidency, paving the way for a referendum on the issue in spring which, if passed, could allow President Tayyip Erdogan to stay in office until 2029.
Two ‘terrorists’ blow themselves up in confrontation with security forces in Jeddah: media
DOHA (Reuters) – Two suspected militants blew themselves up in a confrontation with security forces in Saudi Arabia’s second city of Jeddah early on Saturday, Saudi media reported.
Asian media decry isolationist Trump, fear economic, diplomatic turmoil
TOKYO, (Reuters) – A day after Donald Trump became U.S. President and vowed to put “America First”, Asian media decried his isolationist policies, fearing they will chill the global economy and sow widespread international discord.
Four more survivors extracted from Italian hotel hit by avalanche
PENNE, Italy (Reuters) – Four people were pulled alive from the wreckage of a luxury hotel that was demolished on Wednesday by a deadly avalanche, bringing the number of survivors to nine, the national fire service said on Saturday.
Mexico seeks stronger U.S. ties despite Trump campaign barbs
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s president said on Friday he wanted to strengthen relations with his new U.S. counterpart Donald Trump, whose threats and barbs against the country raised fears of a major economic crisis, and battered its currency.
Chinese state media hopes for best with Trump, prepares for worst
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese state media on Saturday said that it hoped the new U.S. administration of President Donald Trump understood the importance of relations with China, but that Beijing should also prepare for the worst.
U.S. asks South Korea to arrest former U.N. chief Ban’s brother
NEW YORK/SEOUL (Reuters) – The U.S. government has asked South Korea to arrest a brother of former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on charges that he engaged in a bribery scheme to carry out the sale of a Vietnamese building complex, a U.S. prosecut…
China sees ‘grim’ situation in relations with Taiwan this year
BEIJING (Reuters) – Relations between China and Taiwan this year will be “even more complex and grim” and Beijing will resolutely oppose any form of separatist activity, a senior Chinese official said, but added China would also maintain peace and stab…
