China appoints new environment minister: Xinhua
BEIJING (Reuters) – China has appointed Chen Jining as its new environment minister, replacing Zhou Shengxian, who is retiring, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.
Islamic State aims to eradicate Iraq minorities: rights groups
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Islamic State militants have abducted, injured and killed thousands of civilians across northern Iraq and uprooted millions from their homes in a bid to eradicate the country’s ethnic and religious minorities, righ…
Ukraine sends $15 million for gas, says Russian energy minister
KRASNOYARSK, Russia (Reuters) – Ukraine has sent $15 million to pay for Russian gas, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday, just days after Moscow had threatened to cut off supplies to its neighbor due to non-payment.
Chinese diplomat tells West to consider Russia’s security concerns over Ukraine
BEIJING (Reuters) – Western powers should take into consideration Russia’s legitimate security concerns over Ukraine, a top Chinese diplomat has said in an unusually frank and open display of support for Moscow’s position in the crisis.
Russia’s Lavrov, Kerry may meet in Geneva on March 2: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry may meet in Geneva on March 2, RIA news agency reported on Friday.
Draft Chinese law paves way for counter-terror operations abroad
BEIJING (Reuters) – China is close to approving a law that will create a legal framework for sending troops abroad on counter-terrorism missions, as Beijing seeks to address the vulnerability of the country’s growing global commercial and diplomatic in…
U.S. calls for due process, room for Bangladesh political opposition
WASHINGTON/DHAKA (Reuters) – The United States hopes due process will be followed after an anti-corruption court in Bangladesh issued arrest warrants for former prime minister and opposition leader Khaleda Zia, the top U.S. diplomat for South Asia said…
More Hong Kong university students back independence: poll
HONG KONG (Reuters) – A growing number of Hong Kong students support independence for the former British colony, amid sliding confidence in the “one country, two systems” formula under which the city is governed, an online poll by a university magazine…
Nepal Supreme Court rejects amnesty for war crimes
KATHMANDU (Reuters) – Nepal’s Supreme Court has rejected the possibility of amnesty for perpetrators of serious human rights abuses during a decade-long civil war, in a victory for human rights activists and victims’ groups.
Russian energy minister says to attend Ukraine gas talks in Brussels
KRASNOYARSK, Russia (Reuters) – Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday that he would take part in talks over gas supplies to Ukraine in Brussels on March 2.
