U.S. raises military aid to Philippines amid sea tension with China
MANILA (Reuters) – The United States has raised its military aid to the Philippines this year to $79 million, the U.S. ambassador said on Wednesday, as tension rises in the region over China’s new assertiveness in the South China Sea.
China set to pledge more aid to Africa ahead of Xi’s trip
BEIJING (Reuters) – China is set to announce new aid to African nations when President Xi Jinping visits Zimbabwe and South Africa next month, a senior Chinese official said on Wednesday.
Thai constitution could give free rein to military abuses, says rights group
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A proposal by Thailand’s junta for a provision in the constitution exempting the military from prosecution would allow the armed forces to commit abuses with impunity, a rights group said on Wednesday.
French PM says Europe can’t take in more refugees: Sueddeutsche Zeitung
BERLIN (Reuters) – European countries are stretched to their limits in the refugee crisis and cannot take in any more new arrivals, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls was quoted as saying in a German newspaper on Wednesday.
Afghan forces launch bid to rescue 18 captured by Taliban
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan security forces have launched an operation on Wednesday to rescue 18 people who Taliban insurgents captured after their helicopter made an emergency landing in territory under militant control, the Ministry of Defense said.
Brazil Senate passes decree to help utilities ahead of auction
BRASILIA (Reuters) – The Brazilian Senate on Tuesday approved a presidential decree that helps hydroelectric producers hit by record droughts, in a move that could raise investors’ appetite for power plants up for auction on Wednesday.
China fines five phony Disney hotels: Xinhua
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China has fined five knock-off Disney hotels for infringing on the iconic U.S. entertainment company’s trademarks, state-run Xinhua news agency said on Wednesday in the run-up to the opening of a Walt Disney Co theme park in Shangh…
Bangladesh leader Hasina’s gains from shock hangings seen short-lived
DHAKA (Reuters) – The execution of two Bangladeshi opposition leaders for war crimes appears to have cowed rivals of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but critics said her success comes at the cost of free discourse and the calm is likely to be short-lived…
Reports of civilian casualties dim chances of U.S.-Russia alliance in Syria
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Reports of heavy civilian casualties from Russia’s bombing campaign in Syria are one key reason why Washington is unlikely to coordinate airstrikes with Moscow against Islamic State, U.S. officials told Reuters, even as President Barack Obama left the door ajar on Tuesday to military cooperation with the Kremlin.
Militants fight their way into army base in Indian Kashmir, officer says
SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) – Three militants attacked an Indian army base in the disputed Kashmir region on Wednesday and holed up in the officers mess as a gunbattle raged, a senior army officer said.
