Taiwan arms deal enough to give China bloody nose, but no more
TAIPEI/BEIJING (Reuters) – A new U.S. arms package for Taiwan will help boost the self-ruled island’s ability to inflict a bloody nose on China in the attempt of an attack, enough to make Beijing think twice before any military adventure.
Assad ally declares candidacy for Lebanese presidency
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A family friend of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said he will stand for Lebanon’s presidency, a post that has been vacant for more than 18 months.
French state of emergency facing court challenges
PARIS (Reuters) – After hundreds of police raids on homes, mosques, restaurants and hotels in the less than five weeks since the Nov. 13 assaults in Paris, some Muslims in France are taking the government to court for committing what they call illegal …
Next Swiss president hopes for Europe immigration pact: paper
ZURICH (Reuters) – Switzerland’s next president has said he still hopes to strike an accord with the European Union to maintain the free movement of workers, but warned that his government’s threat to impose limits on immigration was no bluff.
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…
