China’s Xi says military must be smaller, but more capable
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s armed forces must be smaller but more capable, and if reforms are not properly carried out the military risks falling behind, affecting its ability to wage war, Chinese state media on Saturday cited President Xi Jinping as s…
Russia’s Lavrov says difficult to solve peace treaty issue with Japan
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday it would be difficult to close the gap in positions over a peace treaty and territorial dispute with Japan, two weeks before President Vladimir Putin visits.
Indonesian police plane with 15 on board goes missing
JAKARTA (Reuters) – A twin-engine Indonesian police plane went missing on Saturday with 15 people on board en route to the island of Batam, south of Singapore, police and rescue authorities said, as search teams scoured the area.
May’s Brexit plans face British Supreme Court test
LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister Theresa May’s government launches a challenge on Monday against a court ruling that it requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, a decision that could upset Britain’s Brexit pl…
Chinese mine disasters kill at least 38
BEIJING (Reuters) – At least 38 people have died in two separate coal mine disasters in China in the last five days, state media said, the latest accidents in a country with a poor record of industrial safety.
Thai activist ‘first to be arrested for royal insult’ under new king
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai police arrested an anti-junta activist on Saturday for defaming the monarchy in what rights groups said was the first case of lese-majeste brought under Thailand’s new king.
Taliban hang student suspected over assassination: official
KABUL (Reuters) – Taliban militants hanged a university student in public in a village west of Kabul after accusing him of involvement in the death of a senior Taliban official, a local government spokesman said on Saturday.
Duterte says felt rapport with Trump, assures U.S.-Philippines ties intact
MANILA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte described as “encouraging” his phone call with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Friday, during which he felt a rapport between them and gave assurance that ties were intact, despite a…
China says has defeated ‘conspiracy’ to stir up South China Sea trouble
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s success at turning around relations with the Philippines under its new president Rodrigo Duterte show the “conspiracies” of certain countries to stir up trouble in the South China Sea have been defeated, China’s foreign mini…
Norway urges Trump to issue predictable, clear policy on Russia
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (Reuters) – Norway on Friday urged U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to enunciate a clear and predictable policy on Russia as soon as possible, amid growing concerns in Oslo about increasing Russian military activities in the “High …
