Putin says anti-Russian sanctions harmful for U.S. and Europe
ARKHANGELSK, Russia (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that anti-Russian sanctions were harmful both for the economies of the United States and Europe.
North Korea says body of murder victim to return in deal with Malaysia; travel bans lifted
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea on Thursday said it had reached agreement with Malaysia for the return of the body of a citizen killed in Kuala Lumpur in February and identified by South Korean and U.S. officials as the half-brother of the North’s leade…
Israeli cabinet approves first West Bank settlement in 20 years
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s security cabinet on Thursday approved the building of the first new settlement in the occupied West Bank in two decades, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu negotiates with Washington on a possible curb on settlemen…
Warplanes strike near Syria’s Hama as army counter-attacks
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Warplanes pounded rebel-held areas north of the Syrian city of Hama on Thursday in an escalation of air strikes, a rebel official and a monitor said, as government forces fought to reverse the insurgents’ biggest assault in months.
Exclusive: South Africa’s Zuma considers stepping down early in deal to oust Gordhan
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Jacob Zuma is considering offering to step down next year, at least 12 months before his term as South African president ends, under a deal with opponents in his ruling party that would see Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan leav…
Syrian rebels seize swathes of south as Islamic State retreats
AMMAN (Reuters) – Syrian rebels have seized large areas from Islamic State in southern Syria in the last two weeks as the jihadist group prepares to defend its Raqqa stronghold in the north from a U.S.-backed assault, rebel commanders say.
China says ‘no such thing’ as man-made islands in South China Sea
BEIJING (Reuters) – There was “no such thing” as man-made islands in the disputed South China Sea, China’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday, and reiterated that any building work was mainly for civilian purposes.
Japan considers easing Chinese visa rules to extend tourism boom
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan is considering relaxing restrictions on visas for tourists from China, three people with direct knowledge of the matter said on Thursday, hoping to extend a tourism boom and lend support to consumer spending.
China says weapons won’t stop unification with Taiwan
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday it was futile for Taiwan to think it could use arms to prevent unification, as the self-ruled democratic island looks to fresh arms sales by the United States amid what it sees as a growing …
South Africa’s Zuma meets top ANC officials amid speculation Gordhan to be sacked
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma called a meeting of the ruling African National Congress’ (ANC) top six officials late on Thursday, media reported, after ANC ally the South African Communist Party said he planned to sack Fi…
