Afghanistan wins approval to join WTO
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan has won formal approval to join the World Trade Organisation in a move the U.S.-backed government hopes will help lift its war-shattered economy and create jobs in one of the world’s poorest countries.
Indonesian president rebukes minister over ride-hailing crackdown
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia’s president publicly rebuked one of his cabinet ministers on Friday for a clampdown on ride-hailing services such as Uber and Go-Jek, which triggered outrage on social media in a country where public transport options are …
Widows worldwide robbed, enslaved, raped and accused of witchcraft
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Millions of widows around the world are left destitute after being robbed of their inheritance, while others are enslaved by their in-laws, accused of witchcraft or forced to undergo abusive sexual rituals, researc…
Militants ambush Philippine army convoy as typhoon death toll hits 41
MANILA (Reuters) – Maoist rebels in the Philippines exploited the havoc unleashed by a typhoon to attack an army relief convoy on Friday, authorities said, as the death toll from the storm rose to 41.
Vietnam builds military muscle to face China
XUAN MAI, Vietnam (Reuters) – Vietnam’s military is steeling itself for conflict with China as it accelerates a decade-long modernization drive, Hanoi’s biggest arms buildup since the height of the Vietnam War.
Rwandans vote on constitution changes to let Kagame extend rule
KIGALI (Reuters) – Rwandans voted on Friday in a referendum on changing the constitution that would allow President Paul Kagame to extend his term in office, possibly until 2034, despite criticism of such an amendment by the United States and other Wes…
Russia and Britain discuss avoiding airspace, naval ‘incidents’
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Russian Defense Ministry said late on Thursday that senior British military officials had met with their Russian counterparts in Moscow to discuss how best to avoid incidents between the two countries’ armed forces at sea and in …
China says some officials plead poverty to hide corruption
BEIJING (Reuters) – Some Chinese officials have become expert at pretending to live frugal, exemplary lives while actually being dissolute individuals with often huge hidden wealth, a state-run newspaper said on Friday, warning the government would roo…
Cameron pleads for leaders’ help to keep Britain in EU
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Prime Minister David Cameron said on Thursday he could see a pathway to a deal to keep Britain in the European Union after EU leaders told him at a summit in Brussels they would not accept discrimination against EU migrant workers …
World’s refugees and displaced exceed record 60 million: U.N.
GENEVA (Reuters) – The number of people forcibly displaced worldwide is likely to have “far surpassed” a record 60 million this year, mainly driven by the Syrian war and other protracted conflicts, the United Nations said on Friday.
