Pentagon chief visits U.S. carrier in disputed South China Sea, blames Beijing for tension
ABOARD THE USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, South China Sea (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter flew to a U.S. aircraft carrier transiting the disputed South China Sea on Thursday and blamed China for rising tension in the region on a visit sure to…
Thai junta launches crackdown on ‘influential figures’ stoking crime
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s junta launched on Thursday a crackdown on organized crime, its latest effort to clean up the country and improve the image of the military government as it struggles to get a sluggish economy on track.
Iran to meet Rouhani timetable on ending sanctions: nuclear chief
TOKYO (Reuters) – Iran will fulfill its commitments under the July nuclear agreement with major powers in time to have sanctions, that have crippled its economy, lifted by the end of the year, its atomic energy chief said on Thursday.
Myanmar’s Suu Kyi says will be above president in new government
YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Thursday she would be “above the president” if her party wins a historic election on Nov. 8, defying a constitutional ban on becoming president herself.
Britain’s EU reform wishlist to be unveiled next week: minister
BRATISLAVA (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron’s letter to the European Union explaining Britain’s planned renegotiation of ties will be unveiled in the first half of next week, Europe Minister David Lidington said on Thursday.
Egypt court postpones Mubarak’s final trial over 2011 killing of protesters
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s top court on Thursday postponed the final trial of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak over the killing of protesters during the 2011 uprising that ended his 30-year rule.
Russia has sent missile systems to Syria: air force head
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia has sent missile systems to Syria to protect its military forces there, the head of Russia’s air force said on Thursday.
North Korea to offer flight tours over capital in Soviet-era helicopter
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea will offer helicopter sightseeing tours of its capital, Pyongyang, starting from this month, tourist agencies specializing in trips to the isolated country told Reuters on Thursday.
Taiwan leader says meeting with China’s Xi unrelated to elections
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said on Thursday his upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping was about further normalizing ties with China and had nothing to do with trying to revive his party’s fortunes ahead of the island’s electi…
For Libya U.N. deal, former rebel brigades mean success or failure
MISRATA, Libya (Reuters) – In Misrata, a statue of a fist crushing a U.S. fighter jet that rebels seized as war bounty from Muammar Gaddafi’s compound stands testimony to the city’s part in Libya’s 2011 revolution.
