Philippines says U.S. military to upgrade bases, defense deal intact
MANILA (Reuters) – The United States will upgrade and build facilities on Philippine military bases this year, Manila’s defense minister said on Thursday, bolstering an alliance strained by President Rodrigo Duterte’s opposition to a U.S. troop presenc…
Thailand presses Laos over royal insult suspects
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s top security officer will go to neighboring Laos to push for the extradition of critics of the Thai monarchy, Thailand’s defense minister said on Thursday.
Redefining a ‘special relationship’: Trump and May to talk trade
LONDON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Trade will dominate the first talks between the new leaders of the United States and Britain this week, with both hoping commitments to a future deal will redefine their ‘special relationship’ in a new world order.
Russia says no direct contacts yet between White House and Kremlin
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Direct contacts between the White House and the Kremlin have not been established since U.S. President Donald Trump took office, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
Japan hotel chain could remove books denying Nanjing Massacre from some hotels
TOKYO (Reuters) – A Japanese hotel chain at the center of a furor over books its president wrote denying the Nanjing Massacre in wartime China is prepared to consider removing the books from at least some hotels if it receives a formal written request …
Cash-strapped Zimbabwe offers workers land instead of bonuses
HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwe authorities offered residential land to government employees in lieu of annual bonuses, unions said on Thursday, rejecting a proposal that suggests the cash squeeze gripping the country is unlikely to ease this year.
German SPD’s new leader Schulz level with Merkel in poll
BERLIN (Reuters) – As many Germans would vote for new Social Democrat (SPD) leader Martin Schulz as for conservative Angela Merkel in a direct vote for chancellor, a poll published late on Wednesday showed, eight months before federal elections in Sept…
Kremlin says White House did not consult it on Syria safe zone plan
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump did not consult Russia before announcing a plan to establish safe zones for refugees in Syria, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.
Thai police pursue Buddhist monk with new arrest warrant
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A new warrant has been issued for the arrest of an influential Thai Buddhist monk and Thailand’s police chief said on Thursday they would do their best to bring him to justice despite previous failures.
EU could fall apart if populists win Dutch, French elections-Germany’s Gabriel
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel warned on Thursday that the European Union could fall apart if populists in France or the Netherlands win in elections this year.
