China says Dalai Lama’s Mongolia visit could harm ties
BEIJING (Reuters) – China urged Mongolia on Sunday to take steps to protect the two countries’ relations after the Dalai Lama visited the central Asian country at the weekend, despite Beijing repeatedly voicing its opposition.
Church in northern Iraq reopened after two years under IS control
BASHIQA, Iraq (Reuters) – The bells have rung out after two years of silence in the Mar Korkeis church in the town of Bashiqa, some 15 km (10 miles) north of Mosul, Islamic State’s last major city stronghold in Iraq.
China’s Xi calls for ‘smooth transition’ in relationship with U.S.
LIMA (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Saturday for a “smooth transition” in Beijing’s relationship with Washington and praised outgoing President Barack Obama for strengthening ties between the two nations.
Emirates crash investigation to take up to three years: regulator
DUBAI (Reuters) – The investigation into the Emirates jet crash landing at Dubai International on Aug. 3 will take two to three years to complete, the director general of the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said on Sunday.
Queen to invite Trump to Britain for state visit: Sunday Times
LONDON (Reuters) – Queen Elizabeth will invite U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for a state visit to Britain next year to try to cement close ties between the two countries, The Sunday Times newspaper said.
Fed up with EU, Erdogan says Turkey could join Shanghai bloc
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – President Tayyip Erdogan was quoted on Sunday as saying that Turkey did not need to join the European Union “at all costs” and could instead become part of a security bloc dominated by China, Russia and Central Asian nations.
Meeting Putin, Philippines’ Duterte rails at Western ‘hypocrisy’
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out at Western “bullying” and “hypocrisy” during his first meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and said when it came to alliances, the United States could not be trusted.
South Korea prosecutors say President Park was accomplice in corruption scandal
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean prosecutors said on Sunday that they believed President Park Geun-hye was an accomplice in a corruption scandal that has rocked her administration, in a heavy blow to her fight for political survival.
Suspect in Australian bank fire identified as asylum seeker
SYDNEY (Reuters) – A man suspected of starting a fire in an Australian bank on Friday that injured 27 people has been identified as an asylum seeker, angering far-right groups and adding to an increasingly heated national debate over immigration.
For Syria rebels, Trump win adds to uncertain fate
BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) – On the eve of Donald Trump’s election victory, members of a Western-backed Syrian rebel group met U.S. officials to ask about the outlook for arms shipments they have received to fight President Bashar al-Assad.




