South Korea defends accord with Japan to settle ‘comfort women’ issue
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea defended on Thursday an agreement with Japan to settle the issue of “comfort women” following criticism it was inadequate, saying it was the best any government could do in the lifetimes of the elderly victims of abuse.
Gunmen kill senior militia leader in Yemen’s Aden: residents
ADEN (Reuters) – Unknown gunmen shot and killed a senior Yemeni militia leader and four people traveling in his convoy in the southern city of Aden, residents and militia sources said on Thursday.
China says consulted widely on army reform, Xi closely involved
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s military consulted widely on its sweeping reform program, with President Xi Jinping closely involved by speaking with soldiers on the frontlines and hand-writing suggestions, the army’s newspaper said on Thursday.
China warns of ‘complex changes’ in Taiwan election year
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s top official in charge of relations with self-ruled Taiwan warned on Thursday of “complex changes” ahead in ties with the island, which is likely to return the independence-leaning opposition to power in mid-January polls.
U.S. preparing sanctions on Iran over ballistic missile program: sources
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration is preparing new sanctions on international companies and individuals over Iran’s ballistic missile program, sources familiar with the situation said on Wednesday.
North Korea says top aide to leader Kim dies in car crash
SEOUL (Reuters) – A senior North Korean official and a top aide to leader Kim Jong Un has died in a car accident, state news agency reported on Wednesday, the latest dramatic death or disappearance in the close circle of deputies to the country’s leade…
U.S.-trained commandos in Philippines kill 10 militants: usinarmy
MANILA (Reuters) – U.S.-trained army commandos in the Philippines killed 10 al Qaeda-linked militants in a clash on a southern island, a military spokesman said on Thursday, as security forces intensify a search for foreign hostages.
Venezuela top court blocks four lawmakers-elect from taking office
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s Supreme Court on Wednesday blocked four newly elected lawmakers from taking office after a legal challenge by the ruling Socialist Party, which was roundly defeated by the opposition coalition in the Dec. 6 congressional…
One dead, two injured after wave hits North Sea drilling rig
OSLO (Reuters) – One person died and two were injured on Wednesday when a big wave hit a rig belonging to China’s Chinese Oilfield Services Ltd that had been drilling at the Statoil-operated Troll field offshore Norway, the Norwegian company said.
Twin suicide bombs in northeast Syria kill or wound dozens: Kurds, monitoring group
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Twin suicide bombings hit two restaurants in a Kurdish-controlled city in northeastern Syria on Wednesday, killing or wounding dozens of people, a Kurdish official and a group monitoring the war said.
