EU sees little drop in migrants since Turkey deal: document
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union has seen little evidence that Turkey has managed to reduce departures of migrants for Greek islands in the two weeks since it signed an agreement to do so, an EU document showed on Thursday.
Gulf Arab defense spending drops for first time in decade: report
DUBAI (Reuters) – Low oil prices are eating into defense spending in the Gulf region, one of the world’s largest arms markets, with budgets trimmed for the first time in a decade this year and deeper cuts expected in 2016, according to a report published on Thursday.
China, Britain in unusual rights clash after diplomats shoved
BEIJING (Reuters) – China on Thursday lashed out at Britain’s belated criticism of its security officers’ pushing of diplomats at a rights trial, in an unusual public sign of disagreement between countries supposedly enjoying a “golden” era in ties.
Singapore court orders blogger to pay PM more than $100,000 over defamation
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – A Singapore High Court judge on Thursday ordered a blogger to pay the prime minister S$150,000 ($106,172) in damages for defamation, his written judgment seen by Reuters showed.
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.
Somali militants say behind attack in northern Kenya
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – The Somali Islamist group al Shabaab claimed responsibility for an attack in northern Kenya’s Lamu County which left two people dead, the militants and police said on Thursday.
Palestinian shot dead after trying to stab Israeli soldiers – military
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian on Thursday who the military said tried to stab them after he was stopped for questioning in the occupied West Bank.
Putin says will not agree to outside force deciding who rules Syria
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he would never agree to any outside force deciding on who should rule Syria and added that there was no way to resolve the Syria crisis other than a political solution.
Russia’s Putin says ‘sees no prospect’ of improving ties with Turkey
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he “sees no prospect” of improving relations with the current leadership of Turkey after it downed a Russian jet bomber last month.
EU’s Juncker says will reach ‘fair deal’ to avoid Brexit
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union is seeking a fair deal that will provide a way out of a complicated questions over the future of Britain’s membership in the bloc, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said on Thursday.
