India’s Congress seeks to exploit Gandhis’ day in court
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian opposition leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi will appear in court on Saturday to defend themselves against graft allegations in a case they hope to turn to their advantage by energizing their party faithful against Prime Minis…
Japanese journalist cleared of defaming South Korean president
SEOUL (Reuters) – A South Korean court cleared a Japanese journalist on Thursday of defaming the South Korean president in a case that raised new questions about media freedom and had threatened to inflame relations between the uneasy neighbors.
Obama administration authorizes $1.83-billion arms sale to Taiwan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Obama administration formally notified Congress on Wednesday of a $1.83-billion arms sale package for Taiwan, including two frigates, anti-tank missiles, amphibious assault vehicles and other equipment, drawing an angry respo…
Turkey kills 23 Kurdish militants in southeast towns: state media
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish security forces killed 23 Kurdish militants during two days of operations in two southeastern towns, state media said on Thursday, as the government takes its fight against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) increasingly int…
Yemen peace talks struggling in Switzerland amid disputes: sources
DUBAI (Reuters) – U.N.-sponsored Yemeni peace talks in Switzerland appeared to be struggling amid differences over government demands for the release of senior officials held by the Iran-allied Houthis, sources close to the talks said on Thursday.
Australia says no plan to stop surveillance flights over South China Sea
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia will not bow to Chinese pressure to halt surveillance flights over disputed islands in the South China Sea at the center of rival claims between China and some of its neighbors, Defense Minister Marise Payne said on Thursda…
Singapore Strait collision sinks freighter; six crew still missing
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Six crew members are still missing after a general cargo freighter sank in the Singapore Strait following a collision with a chemical tanker at 8:14 p.m. (7.14 a.m. ET) on Dec. 16.
Cuba says Obama welcome to visit but not to meddle
HAVANA (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama is welcome to visit Cuba but not to meddle in its internal affairs, a senior foreign ministry official said on Wednesday on the eve of the first anniversary of the two countries’ historic rapprochement.
China says graft suspects abroad abuse system to prolong cases
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese corruption suspects who have fled abroad have been abusing legal systems of host countries to prolong their cases in what is a big challenge to China’s efforts to get them back, a top anti-graft official said on Thursday.
China more than triples Macau’s size with new maritime jurisdiction
HONG KONG (Reuters) – China has granted tiny Macau control over its surrounding sea for the first time to help boost its economic development, more than tripling the size of the former Portuguese colony’s territory.
