U.S. to send most senior officer to Thailand since 2014 coup
BANGKOK (Reuters) – The highest ranking U.S. officer to visit Thailand since a 2014 coup will attend a military exercise next month in what the Thai army hailed on Wednesday as a sign of improving relations.
South Korean governor’s island visit ‘extremely regrettable’: Japan
TOKYO/SEOUL (Reuters) – Japan on Wednesday lodged a protest with South Korea after a South Korean official visited a group of islets claimed by both countries, putting more strain on ties already damaged by the legacy of Japan’s 1910-1945 rule of Korea…
Report cites growing corruption, sees link with rising populism
BERLIN (Reuters) – Growing levels of perceived corruption and social inequality provided fertile ground for the rise of populist politicians in 2016, global watchdog Transparency International said on Wednesday.
Police search houses around Brussels in anti-terrorism investigation
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Police searched houses around Brussels as part of an anti-terrorism investigation on Wednesday, the federal prosecutor’s office said.
Tension high as Australia is divided over holiday aimed at unity
SYDNEY (Reuters) – An Australian city’s bid to highlight the plight of indigenous people by boycotting Australia Day celebrations on Thursday has ignited a rancorous dispute, raised fears of violence and could backfire on reforms aimed at engendering r…
Russia’s Lavrov to meet Syrian opposition in Moscow on Jan. 27: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet Syrian opposition representatives in Moscow on January 27, RIA news agency cited the Russian foreign ministry as saying on Wednesday.
Artist defends nude portrait of Korea’s Park after brush with law
SEOUL (Reuters) – An impressionist-style painting of impeached South Korean President Park Geun-hye lying in the nude has caused a new uproar in a country already engulfed in a corruption scandal and political crisis.
Thai junta gives go-ahead to buy Chinese submarine and tanks
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s military government has approved 13.5 billion baht ($380 million) to buy a submarine from China after putting the purchase on hold last year, Thai officials said on Wednesday.
American’s appeal dismissed over jail for 1997 Korean burger bar murder
SEOUL (Reuters) – An American lost his appeal on Wednesday against a 20-year jail term for the murder of a Korean student stabbed in a burger bar 20 years ago, a case that sparked huge hostility towards U.S. military bases in South Korea.
Trump’s defense chief eyes debut trip to Japan, South Korea next week
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s defense secretary plans to visit Japan and South Korea next week, choosing the two close U.S. allies for his debut trip abroad as Pentagon chief, a U.S. official said on Tuesday, speaking on conditio…
