Dam completion signifies growing Indian influence in Afghanistan
KABUL (Reuters) – India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Afghanistan on Saturday to mark the completion of a nearly $300 million hydroelectric dam project, the latest symbol of Indian investment in its South Asian neighbor.
Sahrawis, officials pay tribute to Western Sahara leader
RABONI, Algeria (Reuters) – Chanting slogans for independence, hundreds of Sahrawi people joined diplomats and government officials in southern Algerian camps to pay their respects to Western Sahara independence leader Mohamed Abdelaziz who died this w…
Taiwan’s new president, on naval visit, champions local defense industry
YILAN, Taiwan (Reuters) – Taiwan is determined to build a local defense industry, the island’s new president, Tsai Ing-wen, said on Saturday as she toured a naval base and took a ride on a homemade 600-ton warship.
Exclusive: U.S. falters in campaign to revive Iraqi army, officials say
(Reuters) – A 17-month U.S. effort to retrain and reunify Iraq’s regular army has failed to create a large number of effective Iraqi combat units or limit the power of sectarian militias, according to current and former U.S. military and civilian offic…
Japan pledges support for Southeast Asia security to counter coercive China
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Japan will help Southeast Asian nations build their security capabilities to deal with unilateral, dangerous and coercive actions in the South China Sea, Japan’s defense minister said on Saturday, in pointed remarks directed at Be…
Argentine president Macri treated for ‘mild’ heart problem
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentine President Mauricio Macri was taken to hospital on Friday to be evaluated by doctors after he suffered a “mild arrhythmia”, or irregular heartbeats, the government said.
Mexican judge orders property of ex-ruling party governor seized
MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuters) – A Mexican judge has ordered properties of a former state governor in the ruling party seized as part of an investigation into fraud and other crimes, putting the spotlight on political corruption ahead of local elections t…
Treasury’s Lew: China pause on reforms would have ‘very bad consequences’
SEOUL (Reuters) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said on Friday China would see “very bad consequences” for its economy and bilateral U.S. relations if it backs away from its stated goals to open its markets and rebalance its economy toward consumer-…
Retired generals, diplomats urge Obama to keep Afghanistan troop level
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Thirteen retired U.S. generals and senior diplomats urged President Barack Obama on Friday to maintain the current U.S. troop level in Afghanistan, saying a reduction would undercut the morale of Afghan government forces and bols…
Burundi police shoot at students protesting against colleagues’ arrest
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Police in Burundi shot and wounded a student and a taxi-driver on Friday during a protest by schoolchildren against the arrest of their colleagues for defacing President Pierre Nkurunziza’s portrait, students and residents said.
