Images show rapid Chinese progress on new South China Sea airstrip
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Recent satellite images published on Thursday show China has made rapid progress in building an airstrip suitable for military use in contested territory in the South China Sea’s Spratly Islands and may be planning another, moves…
Turkish Airlines says plane lands safely in Istanbul after bomb threat
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A Turkish Airlines plane landed safely in Istanbul after being recalled due to a bomb threat while bound for Basel, a spokeswoman said, the latest in a series of such incidents that have forced the carrier to divert or recall fligh…
North Korea warns U.S. envoy of ‘bigger mishap’ than a knife attack
SEOUL (Reuters) – A North Korean propaganda unit said the U.S. ambassador to South Korea could face a “bigger mishap” than the knife attack to his face last month if he does not stop insulting North Korea with “laughable” accusations.
New Yemen VP says he hopes to avert Saudi invasion
RIYADH/ADEN (Reuters) – Yemen’s newly-appointed Vice President Khaled Bahah, a widely respected figure named this week to shore up the legitimacy of the exiled Saudi-backed government, said on Thursday he hoped to avert a Saudi-led invasion to restore …
Japan’s Abe, Okinawa governor clash over U.S. base before U.S.-Japan summit
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the governor of the southern island of Okinawa clashed on Friday over the relocation of a contentious U.S. air base, an irritant in U.S.-Japan ties, a week before Abe’s high-profile visit to the …
Pope Francis may visit Cuba during U.S. trip, Vatican says
ROME (Reuters) – Pope Francis may include Cuba on the itinerary of his visit to the United States in September, the Vatican said on Friday, adding that discussions with Cuban authorities were still at an early stage.
China jails journalist for seven years for ‘leaking state secrets’
BEIJING (Reuters) – A Chinese court jailed a journalist accused of leaking an internal Communist Party document to a foreign website for seven years on Friday, her lawyer said, a ruling that reflects the sensitivity surrounding the party’s inner workin…
Thai PM hails progress, says he doesn’t want to stay in power
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha hailed the performance of his military government on Friday and said a much-criticized overhaul of the constitution was needed to pull Thailand out of years of political crisis.
Philippines says South China Sea dispute a global problem
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino said on Friday the territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea was of concern for the world because global trade will be hit by China’s reclamation.
China complains Japanese air, sea surveillance raises safety risks
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Defense Ministry complained on Friday that Japanese surveillance activities threatened the safety of Chinese ships and aircraft, raising the issue after Japan said earlier this week that its jet fighter scrambles had hit lev…
