Kremlin says hopes Putin and Trump will get along, disagrees with Tillerson
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Kremlin said on Thursday it hoped President Vladimir Putin and President-elect Donald Trump would get along and that there would be more mutual respect in U.S.-Russia relations than there was under the Obama administration.
Nigeria trims ties with Taiwan as it courts China
TAIPEI/ABUJA (Reuters) – Taiwan objected on Thursday to an “unreasonable” Nigerian request to move its representative office out of the capital Abuja, a day after China announced plans to invest a further $40 billion in the African country.
Ex-UN chief Ban to make decision on political future ‘soon’
SEOUL (Reuters) – Former U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon arrived home in South Korea on Thursday and said he will make a decision soon on his political career, amid expectations he will run in an election that may come early if President Park Geun-hye is forced…
Putin, Nazarbayev discuss preparations for Astana talks on Syria
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed preparations for Syria talks in Astana with his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev by phone on Thursday, the Kremlin said in a statement.
Iraqi forces make fresh gains in southeast Mosul: military statement
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi forces drove back Islamic State militants in southeastern Mosul on Thursday, making gains in an area where advances have been particularly tough, the military said in a statement.
U.S. probe clears forces over civilian deaths in northern Afghan city
KABUL (Reuters) – A U.S. military investigation confirmed that dozens of Afghan civilians were killed in a special forces operation near the northern city of Kunduz last year, but found troops had acted in self-defense and decided no action would be ta…
Hong Kong no. 2 official resigns with eye on becoming next leader
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s number two official Carrie Lam, nicknamed “the fighter”, resigned on Thursday to contest the March election to become the financial hub’s next chief executive and first female leader.
Britain, Turkey, Greece meet to discuss Cyprus settlement
GENEVA (Reuters) – Foreign ministers of Britain, Greece and Turkey were to meet in Geneva on Thursday in an attempt to thrash out a security deal for a post-settlement reunited Cyprus.
Japan’s Abe visits Philippines as Duterte’s first top guest
MANILA (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in the Philippines on Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at shoring up ties with its mercurial new leader, and boosting Tokyo’s economic foothold in the face of anticipated competition from …
Erdogan spokesman slams U.S. military for backing Syrian Kurdish militia
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman lashed out at the U.S. military on Thursday after it re-tweeted a statement by a Kurdish-dominated alliance it backs in Syria saying it had no links to Kurdish militants fighting the Tur…
