China says U.S. trying to influence Philippines’ sea case
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday the United States was trying to influence a South China Sea arbitration case filed by the Philippines after a senior U.S. official said China would be obligated to abide by the tribunal’s deci…
Malaysia’s home ministry suspends top publications over 1MDB reports
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – The Malaysian government’s crackdown on the media and dissenters widened on Friday, as the home ministry suspended publication of two leading financial newspapers over their reporting of alleged graft at the country’s troubled …
Pentagon chief flies into Iraqi Kurdistan, to meet Barzani
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived on an unannounced visit on Friday to Erbil, capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan region whose forces have emerged as one of America’s strongest partners in the fight against Islamic State.
Al Qaeda operational commander killed in U.S. air strike: Pentagon
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – A U.S. air strike in Afghanistan has killed a high-ranking al Qaeda operational commander, the U.S. military said on Friday.
Hungary expects to complete Serbian border fence by November: lawmaker
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary expects to complete a four-meter-high (12 feet) fence along its border with Serbia by November to stem the flow of tens of thousands of illegal migrants, a top ruling-party lawmaker was quoted as saying.
China police arrest two ‘violent terrorists’ in coastal city
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese authorities in the eastern coastal city of Wenzhou have arrested two “violent terrorists”, state media reported on Friday, and accused them of being part of a criminal gang in the city.
Detained Chinese lawyers admit guilt in disorder charges: state media
(This version of the July 19th story corrects throughout to reflect no formal charges have been filed,and not all accused work for law firm)
Thailand indicts 72 human trafficking suspects ahead of U.S. report
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand on Friday indicted 72 people suspected of involvement in human trafficking, just days before the United States issues its latest assessment of the country’s anti-trafficking efforts next week.
Kerry: critics of Iran deal spinning ‘fantasy,’ urges approval
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday mounted a furious counterattack against critics of the Iran nuclear deal, telling skeptical lawmakers it would be fantasy to think the United States could simply “bomb away” Tehran’s…
Australian nurse who aided ISIS heading home, could face arrest
SYDNEY (Reuters) – An Australian nurse alleged to have given medical assistance to Islamic State militants fighting in Syria could face arrest for violating tough new security laws when he lands in Sydney on Friday, police and officials said.
