Stagnation, resignation reign ahead of Romanian parliamentary vote
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – When Romania’s leftist government collapsed a year ago amid outrage over a deadly nightclub fire, many people spied an opportunity for sweeping change in a country plagued by corruption and inept public services.
French presidential frontrunner Fillon under pressure over healthcare
PARIS (Reuters) – French Socialist would-be presidential candidate Manuel Valls on Friday attacked his conservative rival Francois Fillon’s proposals to slash public payroll and health spending, saying they threatened the foundations of a welfare state…
U.S. defense chief reassures Afghans amid questions over Trump’s policies
KABUL (Reuters) – The United States will “remain committed” to Afghanistan, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Friday, amid questions about what President-elect Donald Trump’s foreign policy will mean for the country as it faces a renewed Taliba…
Wilders calls conviction is ‘insanity’, against ‘half the Netherlands’
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders said his conviction on Friday of insulting a group and inciting discrimination was “insanity” and said the three judges who handed down the ruling were “haters” of his far-right Freedom Pa…
Rescue operations near end in Indonesia’s quake-stricken Aceh
PIDIE JAYA, Indonesia (Reuters) – Indonesian officials said on Friday search and rescue operations were nearing an end three days after a powerful earthquake hit the northern province of Aceh, killing 100 people and leaving thousands homeless.
In graft fight, China makes it harder to move capital, people overseas
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s difficulties in bringing home graft suspects who fled abroad have prompted tighter measures against illegal moves of capital and people beyond its borders, the government said on Friday.
Bosnian Serb leader blames Muslims for ‘preparing for war’
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Ratko Mladic’s lawyers told judges on Friday that Bosnia’s Muslims had been preparing for war long before the Bosnian Serb general, being tried in The Hague for genocide, ever set foot in the country in uniform.
Philippine senators tell Duterte drug war must be legal, punish rogue police
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine senators have criticized the way President Rodrigo Duterte is carrying out his anti-narcotics campaign, saying it should be done within the bounds of the law and he must punish erring police officers.
Exclusive: Risking Beijing’s ire, Vietnam begins dredging on South China Sea reef
SYDNEY/HONG KONG (Reuters) – Vietnam has begun dredging work on a disputed reef in the South China Sea, satellite imagery shows, the latest move by the Communist state to bolster its claims in the strategic waterway.
Philippines’ Duterte starts moves to amend the constitution
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has set into motion a proposal to amend the 1987 constitution to set up a federal system of government to end conflict and give a further boost to the economy.
