Several killed in accidental blast at Hungarian firing range: reports
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Several people were killed in an explosion at a military firing range in eastern Hungary on Friday that state media described as an accident.
Tens of thousands protest in Hong Kong as China tensions simmer over booksellers
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents marched in protest on the 19th anniversary of the financial hub’s return to Chinese rule on Friday as tensions simmer against Chinese authorities over the abductions of Hong Kong bookseller…
Czech PM: no intention of holding EU, NATO membership referendum
PRAGUE (Reuters) – The Czech government has no intention of holding any referendum on European Union or NATO membership, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka’s office said in a statement on Friday, a week after Britain’s surprise vote to leave the bloc.
Junta-ruled Thailand says it will buy three Chinese submarines
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Military-ruled Thailand will buy three submarines worth around $1 billion from China, the defense minister said on Friday, a move that signals warming ties with the regional superpower as relations with the United States cool.
Iran’s Rouhani accuses West of exploiting Sunni-Shi’ite rift, raps Israel
ANKARA (Reuters) – Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani accused Western powers of trying to exploit differences between the world’s Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims to divert attention from the Israel-Palestinian conflict, state television reported on Friday.
EU prolongs economic sanctions on Russia until 31 Jan 2017
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union on Friday extended its economic sanctions on Russia until the end of January next year in a widely expected decision after EU leaders called for more progress in bringing peace to eastern Ukraine.
Syrian warplane crashes near Damascus, rebels seize pilot: monitors
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Syrian warplane crashed northeast of Damascus on Friday and its pilot was captured by rebels in the area, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Taiwan Navy fires missile in error as China’s Communists mark birthday
TAIPEI (Reuters) – The Taiwan Navy fired a supersonic missile in error and hit a Taiwan fishing boat in waters separating the island from diplomatic rival China on Friday, as Communist Party rulers in Beijing celebrated the party’s 95th birthday.
U.S. downgrades Myanmar, raises Thailand in human trafficking report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States has placed Myanmar, Uzbekistan, Sudan and Haiti on its list of worst human trafficking offenders, drawing guarded praise from some human rights groups following criticism that last year’s State Department report was politicized.
Tunisian prisoners tell of life with Islamic State in Libya
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – When a U.S. air strike hit Sabratha in western Libya on Feb. 19, it reduced a building on the southern fringes of the city to rubble, killing dozens of militants and exposing a network of Islamic State cells operating just near the …
