South Korea considering complaint to China over ‘THAAD retaliation’: minister
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea may complain to China about actions perceived to have been taken in retaliation for a South Korean decision last year to deploy a U.S. anti-missile system, its trade minister said on Thursday.
Samsung chief questioned by prosecutors in South Korea political scandal
SEOUL (Reuters) – Special South Korean prosecutors questioned the head of top conglomerate Samsung Group [SAGR.UL] on suspicion of bribery on Thursday in an influence-peddling scandal that led to President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment.
Nepal names new quake reconstruction head, citing delays
KATHMANDU (Reuters) – Nepal fired the head of its earthquake reconstruction agency and named his predecessor to the job in a game of musical chairs that critics say is only making conditions worse for the survivors of the 2015 disaster.
U.S. Vice President Biden to visit Ukraine on January 15
KIEV (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will visit Ukraine on Sunday and meet President Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s presidential office said on Thursday.
China launches new electronic intelligence naval ship
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Navy has launched a new electronic reconnaissance ship, state media said on Thursday, the latest addition to an expanding fleet and as Beijing’s new assertiveness to territorial claims in the South China Sea fuels tensions.
Turkish deputies brawl during debate on constitutional reform
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish lawmakers came to blows in a brawl in parliament overnight, as tempers boiled over in a debate on a constitutional reform package to expand the powers of President Tayyip Erdogan.
New Zealand father and daughter found in Australia after month at sea
SYDNEY (Reuters) – A New Zealand man and his six-year old daughter missing at sea for more than a month have landed in Australia after sailing their small, damaged yacht across the treacherous 2,000 km (1,241.7 miles) Tasman Sea.
Japan says its active investment is a source of U.S.-Japan vitality
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s top government spokesman said on Thursday that its active trade investment in the United States was a source of “vitality” in the economic relationship between the two nations.
China says its aircraft carrier leaves Taiwan Strait
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s sole aircraft carrier sailed out of the Taiwan Strait on Thursday morning, a day after Taiwan scrambled fighter jets and navy ships to shadow the carrier group through the narrow waterway separating China from the self-ruled…
Poll sees Fillon beating far-right’s Le Pen easily in French runoff
PARIS (Reuters) – French conservative Francois Fillon will beat far-right leader Marine Le Pen by 63 percent to 37 percent if they meet head to head in a presidential election runoff in May, a poll showed on Thursday.
