How the ‘Godfather’ of Lagos could shape Nigeria’s government
LAGOS (Reuters) – “I am a talent hunter. I put talents in office, I help them,” says former Lagos state governor and opposition alliance leader Bola Tinubu, being quite open about his role as one of Nigeria’s most powerful political godfathers.
Hong Kong toes China line with reform package, vows no compromise
HONG KONG (Reuters) – The Hong Kong government published a long-awaited electoral blueprint for selecting the city’s next leader on Wednesday, a plan enshrining China’s desire for a tightly controlled poll that has angered activists and stoked talk of …
China defends vessels’ actions against Philippines in South China Sea
BEIJING (Reuters) – China on Wednesday defended the actions of its vessels in the disputed South China Sea after the Philippines accused China’s coast guard of using water cannon on Philippine fishing boats and urged Manila to increase its “education” …
Japan’s Abe, China’s Xi hold bilateral meeting: Japanese media
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a bilateral meeting in Indonesia on Wednesday, Jiji news agency reported.
Taliban announce plans to ramp up attacks in Afghanistan
KABUL (Reuters) – The Afghan Taliban on Wednesday announced the start of its annual spring offensive, warning it would ramp up attacks on foreign embassies and government officials, as well as military targets, starting on Friday.
Indonesian general gets No. 2 police job despite graft scandal
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Three-star general Budi Gunawan was quietly sworn in as Indonesia’s No. 2 police officer on Wednesday, two months after being dropped by the president for the top job due to his implication in a bribery scandal.
Turkey faces delicate battle against Islamic State sympathizers at home
ISTANBUL/ANKARA (Reuters) – Defne Bayrak’s husband was a suicide bomber who killed CIA operatives in a 2009 attack in Afghanistan. Now, she is among the hundreds of Turks using social media to show support for Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq….
Asian, African nations challenge ‘obsolete’ world order
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Leaders of Asian and African nations called on Wednesday for a new global order that is open to emerging economic powers and leaves the “obsolete ideas” of Bretton Woods institutions in the past.
Drone with ‘minuscule’ quantity of radiation found on Japan PM’s office roof: media
TOKYO (Reuters) – A drone marked with a radioactive sign was found on the roof of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s office on Wednesday and media said it tested positive for a “minuscule” amount of radiation.
Eleven held in South Africa in crackdown on anti-foreigner violence
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African authorities arrested 11 men in Johannesburg late on Tuesday suspected of involvement in violence against immigrants, local television news reported.
