U.S. has few good options for response to Philippines’ Duterte
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Obama administration has few good options and limited leverage as it struggles to craft a response to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s increasingly hostile rhetoric towards the United States and his warm embrace of Chin…
Thai junta fines former PM Yingluck, orders assets seized over failed rice scheme
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the military junta that overthrew her has ordered her assets seized and fined her 35 billion baht ($996.87 million) over a rice subsidy scheme critics say hemorrhaged billion…
NZ casino operator says Crown arrests in China to impact business
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group Ltd said on Friday it was likely to be adversely affected in the short term by the detention of employees of Australian peer Crown Resorts Ltd in China.
Venezuela electoral body suspends referendum drive, opposition fumes
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s electoral authority on Thursday suspended the next phase of a recall referendum against unpopular President Nicolas Maduro, sparking outcry from the opposition who accused the Socialist government of dictatorial tactics….
New Zealand cancels meeting with Hong Kong democracy advocates on ‘diplomatic’ concerns
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Bill English canceled a meeting with two senior Hong Kong democracy supporters this week on advice from his foreign office, he said on Friday, underscoring a delicate relationship with Communist …
Some opposition changes to Colombia peace deal ‘inviable’: president
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Several modifications to a peace deal with Colombia’s FARC rebels suggested by the country’s opposition are “inviable,” President Juan Manuel Santos said on Thursday, adding he remains committed to salvaging the accord.
Mosul offensive going faster than planned, Iraqi PM says
EAST AND NORTH OF MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) – The offensive to seize back Mosul from Islamic State is going faster than planned, Iraq’s prime minister said on Thursday, as Iraqi and Kurdish forces launched a new military operation to clear villages on the …
NATO trains Afghan troops to make air strikes more accurate
LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Reuters) – NATO forces have begun a new program to train Afghan soldiers to pinpoint ground targets for aircraft flying overhead, hoping that it will help stem militant advances in recent months and reverse a sharp rise in …
At her first summit, UK’s May tries to reassure EU on Brexit
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Attending her first European Union summit since Britain’s vote to leave the bloc, Prime Minister Theresa May tried to reassure EU leaders over Brexit but was told by French President Francois Hollande to prepare for tough negotiati…
Italy resists EU push for Russia sanctions over Aleppo bombings
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union leaders condemned Russia on Friday for its bombing of civilians in Syria’s besieged city of Aleppo but faced resistance from Italy to impose new sanctions against Moscow over the atrocities.
