Defense asks Thai court for more time in British backpacker murders
KOH SAMUI, Thailand (Reuters) – Lawyers for two Myanmar migrant workers accused of killing two British tourists on a Thai island appealed for more time on Thursday to prove they were scapegoats innocent of the brutal, high-profile murders.
No meeting scheduled for Pakistan and India at UN general assembly
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan have no plan to meet at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly, the Pakistani foreign office said on Thursday, scotching speculation that the leaders of the two nations might seek the opportunit…
China offers Iran technical upgrades to boost economy
BEIJING (Reuters) – A senior Chinese official has offered Iran help with upgrading its manufacturing technology to boost its economy, saying that the two countries are good partners who have weathered many storms together, the government said on Thursd…
Panama’s top court approves two new probes against ex-president Martinelli
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – Panama’s Supreme Court on Wednesday approved two new investigations against ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, adding to a growing list of corruption probes targeting the former president.
Colombia, FARC rebels vow to end 50-year war within six months
HAVANA (Reuters) – Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the top FARC rebel commander pledged on Wednesday to end their 50-year war within the next six months, sealing their pact with a handshake likely to stand as a lasting image in the South Ame…
Argentina halts rice ‘impregnated with cocaine’ en route to Europe
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentine customs agents found about 30 kg (66 lbs) of cocaine hidden in a way they had never seen before when drug-sniffing dogs found the drug had been absorbed into grains of rice headed for Europe via Africa, an official sa…
Colombia, FARC rebels vow to reach peace deal in six months
HAVANA (Reuters) – Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the top commander of leftist FARC rebels shook hands on Wednesday and agreed to reach a final peace agreement within six months in Latin America’s longest war.
Pacific trade pact negotiators move closer to deal on rules for autos
(Reuters) – Japan, the United States, Mexico and Canada are moving closer to a deal on rules for the automotive industry in a landmark Pacific trade deal, a leading obstacle to agreement on the 12-nation pact, officials briefed on the talks said on Wed…
Burkina Faso’s president back in charge as coup fails
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) – The president of Burkina Faso president was back in charge on Wednesday and said he would resume overseeing a transition to democracy, ending a coup by presidential guard soldiers who took him hostage last week.
EU leaders seek unity on refugee plans
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union leaders concluded a summit early on Thursday that was expected to back offers of new aid for Syrian refugees and also patch up bitter divisions over the migration crisis.
