Russia’s air force conducted 5,240 sorties in Syria since Sept. 30
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s air force has made 5,240 sorties since it started the strikes in Syria on Sept. 30, including 189 sorties on Thursday alone, Russia’s defense ministry told reporters on Friday.
Nepal seeks China’s support to escape energy crisis
BEIJING (Reuters) – Nepal’s foreign minister asked China on Friday for help in dealing with an energy crisis that crippled the landlocked country over the past three months and China said it would look at the request favorably.
Iraqi forces to retake Mosul from Islamic State after Ramadi secured: PM
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s armed forces will move to retake the major northern city of Mosul from Islamic State once they capture the western city of Ramadi, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Friday.
Modi heads to Pakistan in first visit by Indian PM in over decade
NEW DELHI/KABUL (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make a surprise stopover at Pakistan to meet his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, on Friday, in what will be an Indian’s premier’s first visit to the arch rival in more than a decade.
Syrian minister says world powers must stop fighters entering from Turkey and Jordan
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said on Friday that international efforts to end the conflict in his country should focus on preventing insurgents coming in from neighbouring Turkey and Jordan.
Georgian foreign minister nominated for PM
TBILISI (Reuters) – Georgian Foreign Minister Georgy Kvirikashvili was nominated for the post of the ex-Soviet state’s prime minister on Friday after Irakly Garibashvili resigned this week less than a year before parliamentary elections.
Japan foreign minister arranging Seoul visit to settle ‘comfort women’ row
TOKYO/SEOUL (Reuters) – Japan’s foreign minister will visit Seoul on Monday to meet his South Korean counterpart for talks aimed at an early resolution to a row over comfort women, as those forced to work in Japan’s wartime military brothels are euphem…
Third Japanese national arrested in China: Japan top spokesman
TOKYO (Reuters) – A third Japanese citizen has been arrested in China, Japan’s top government spokesman said on Friday, in addition to two others arrested earlier this year for spying.
China’s controversial new anti-terror law to pass on Sunday
BEIJING (Reuters) – China is set to pass its controversial new anti-terrorism law on Sunday, the largely rubber-stamp parliament said on Friday, despite U.S. criticism about its cyber provisions and concerns over human rights.
China says carrier operations improving as navy chief visits
BEIJING (Reuters) – China is getting better and better at operating fighter jets from its lone aircraft carrier, with confident pilots and an increasing number of flying operations, the military’s newspaper said on Friday as China’s navy chief visited …
