World’s displaced hits record high of 60 million, half of them children: U.N.
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Almost 60 million people worldwide were forcibly uprooted by conflict and persecution at the end of last year, the highest ever recorded number, the U.N. refugee agency said on Thursday.
China says will welcome only anti-independence candidate for Taiwan president
BEIJING (Reuters) – China on Thursday said it would welcome only an anti-independence candidate at Taiwan’s presidential election in January, offering its first comment on the likely contender for the island’s pro-China ruling Nationalist Party.
Russia unlikely to introduce new sanctions, will extend food embargo: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia is unlikely to introduce new sanctions in retaliation for EU decisions, Russian Economy Minister Alexei Uluykayev said on Thursday, adding that Moscow was most likely to extend a food embargo.
Security concerns limit Syrian refugees coming to U.S.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – While the exodus from Syria has become the world’s biggest refugee crisis, the United States is being criticized by relief organizations and some within President Barack Obama’s Democratic Party for allowing only a limited flow i…
Israel accuses U.N. children’s rights envoy of ‘improper conduct’
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Israel has accused a senior U.N. official of misconduct in preparing a report that harshly criticized the Israeli army over the 2014 Gaza war while leaving it off a blacklist of states and armed groups that violate children’s…
Tanzania’s female politicians trained to campaign, avoid sexual pitfalls
DAR ES SALAAM (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Aspiring politician Asha Salum is busy trying to convince people in her area of Dar Es Salaam to support her candidacy for a council position at elections later this year, one of a growing number of women seeking political office in Tanzania.
South Korea parliament approves Park’s pick for PM after scandal
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s parliament approved President Park Geun-hye’s choice for prime minister on Thursday after the incumbent stepped down following an allegation he accepted illegal campaign funds from a businessman.
China approves plan for civilian ships to be used by military
BEIJING (Reuters) – The Chinese government has approved a plan requiring civilian shipbuilders to ensure that new ships can be used by the military during an emergency, a state-run newspaper said on Thursday.
Swiss say stray Venezuela golf balls violate Vienna Convention
CARACAS (Reuters) – A dispute has been tee’d off between Switzerland’s ambassador to Venezuela and a neighboring elite golf club, after a banner appeared at the diplomat’s residence warning that golf balls injuring or killing anyone inside would violat…
Latvia says Russia tension worst since Cuban missile crisis
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Russia’s nuclear “sabre-rattling” and refusal to abide by the terms of a ceasefire in Ukraine have dragged East-West relations to their lowest level since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said …
