U.S. announces ramped-up military presence in Philippines
MANILA (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Thursday that U.S. troops and military equipment would be sent on regular rotations in the Philippines and that the two countries had started joint patrols in the South China Sea as China inc…
Merkel says still considering Turkish request to prosecute comedian
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday her government was still examining a request from Turkey to prosecute a German satirist who recited a sexually crude poem about Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on television.
Burundi government party official killed in tit-for-tat violence
NAIROBI (Reuters) – A official from Burundi’s ruling party was shot dead, a local administrator said on Thursday, in what appeared the latest in a spate of tit-for-tat killings that U.N. officials fear is driving the nation back into conflict.
Pakistani gang kills six policemen, takes 24 hostages
LAHORE (Reuters) – Pakistani gangsters on Thursday killed six policemen and took hostage 24 people, including police, during a raid to clear an island hideout in the south of prosperous Punjab province, authorities said.
Germany denies Paris attack suspect had papers on German nuclear research center
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s domestic intelligence agency denied on Thursday its head had told German lawmakers a prime suspect in the Paris attacks had documents about the Juelich German nuclear research center.
Germany passes law on tougher pilot screening after Germanwings crash
BERLIN (Reuters) – A year after the Germanwings plane crash, Germany’s lower house of parliament has passed a package of measures to tighten up reporting of pilot medical assessments and requiring tougher alcohol and drugs checks on pilots.
Putin says Turkey is unsafe for Russian holiday-makers
MOSCOW (Reuters) – There is effectively a civil war in the south of Turkey whose leadership is cooperating with radical groups instead of fighting them, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, sending a warning to Russian holiday-makers.
South African judge dismisses bid to block release of anti-apartheid hero’s killer
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – A South African judge on Thursday dismissed a request by the justice minister to block the release from prison of the killer of anti-apartheid campaigner Chris Hani, the latest twist in a saga that has revived memories of the c…
Israeli troops spark fire during raid on Palestinian business
EL BIREH, West Bank (Reuters) – Israeli troops sparked a fire that gutted about 10 Palestinian shops on Thursday after they tried to blow open safes in a raid on a money-changing office suspected of handling funds for militants.
Vote defeat for South Korea’s Park raises ‘lame duck’ prospect
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s ruling conservatives have suffered a surprise defeat in a parliamentary election in a stinging blow to President Park Geun-hye that will raise doubts about her ability to pursue her agenda to boost a sluggish economy.
