Activists urge U.N. to cite Russia, Iran war crimes in Syria
GENEVA (Reuters) – Syrian activists say they have given U.N. investigators evidence of alleged war crimes committed by Russia and Iranian-backed militia in the battle for the Syrian city of Aleppo, calling for them to face justice for killing civilians…
Avoiding China’s wrath, Philippines puts off upgrades to South China Sea isles
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines is deferring plans to repair and upgrade features it occupies in the disputed South China Sea, the country’s military chiefs said on Thursday, to avoid provoking China while the two traditional foes seek to bury the h…
Police race against time after Kardashian heist arrests
PARIS (Reuters) – French police raced against detention-time limits on Thursday to glean information from people arrested over the gunpoint hold-up of Kim Kardashian, among them underworld figures said to be known by nicknames worthy of Hollywood hoodl…
Kremlin says hopes Putin and Trump will get along, disagrees with Tillerson
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Kremlin said on Thursday it hoped President Vladimir Putin and President-elect Donald Trump would get along and that there would be more mutual respect in U.S.-Russia relations than there was under the Obama administration.
Nigeria trims ties with Taiwan as it courts China
TAIPEI/ABUJA (Reuters) – Taiwan objected on Thursday to an “unreasonable” Nigerian request to move its representative office out of the capital Abuja, a day after China announced plans to invest a further $40 billion in the African country.
Ex-UN chief Ban to make decision on political future ‘soon’
SEOUL (Reuters) – Former U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon arrived home in South Korea on Thursday and said he will make a decision soon on his political career, amid expectations he will run in an election that may come early if President Park Geun-hye is forced…
Putin, Nazarbayev discuss preparations for Astana talks on Syria
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed preparations for Syria talks in Astana with his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev by phone on Thursday, the Kremlin said in a statement.
Iraqi forces make fresh gains in southeast Mosul: military statement
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi forces drove back Islamic State militants in southeastern Mosul on Thursday, making gains in an area where advances have been particularly tough, the military said in a statement.
U.S. probe clears forces over civilian deaths in northern Afghan city
KABUL (Reuters) – A U.S. military investigation confirmed that dozens of Afghan civilians were killed in a special forces operation near the northern city of Kunduz last year, but found troops had acted in self-defense and decided no action would be ta…
Hong Kong no. 2 official resigns with eye on becoming next leader
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s number two official Carrie Lam, nicknamed “the fighter”, resigned on Thursday to contest the March election to become the financial hub’s next chief executive and first female leader.
