U.S. expects legal, open resolution of Ecuador election concerns
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department said on Thursday it expects concerns about the electoral process in Sunday’s second-round presidential election in Ecuador to be “fully considered and resolved in a legal and transparent manner.”
European lawmakers approve visa-free travel for Ukrainians
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Parliament on Thursday supported easing travel rules for Ukrainians, driving on a Western integration viewed with great suspicion by Moscow.
Syrian government sets terms for any inquiry into gas attack
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian government set conditions on Thursday for any international inquiry into a suspected chemical attack that killed scores of people, saying it must not be “politicized” and should set out from Damascus and not Turkey.
Is North Korea putting a nuclear-tipped bargaining chip on the table?
SEOUL (Reuters) – As the leaders of China and the United States sit down for a summit on Thursday, North Korea has made sure it also has something on the negotiating table: A nuclear-tipped bargaining chip.
China’s Xi urges trade cooperation in first meeting with Trump
PALM BEACH, Fla. (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping urged cooperation with the United States on trade and investment on Thursday, inviting President Donald Trump to visit China in a cordial start to their first meeting likely to broach sensitive …
Kurds ‘re-energize’ independence referendum plan for post-jihadist Iraq
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraq’s Kurds plan to hold a referendum on independence this year to press their case for “the best deal” on self-determination once Islamic State is defeated, a senior Kurdish official said.
UK’s May heads for electoral test over Brexit and her leadership
LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister Theresa May unleashed a scathing attack on Britain’s main opposition party on Thursday, launching a campaign for local elections next month that will be the biggest electoral test so far of her leadership and her plan …
Philippines’ Duterte orders occupation of isles in disputed South China Sea
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered troops to occupy uninhabited islands and shoals it claims in the disputed South China Sea, asserting Philippine sovereignty in an apparent change of tack likely to anger China….
Thai king signs constitution, paving way for election
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s king signed a new constitution in a ceremony on Thursday, an essential step towards holding an election that the military government has promised to restore democracy after a 2014 coup.
UK’s Johnson says important to pass U.N. resolution on Syria
SARAJEVO (Reuters) – British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Thursday a United Nations resolution should be passed before any unilateral action was taken in Syria.
