Vietnam confidence vote offers more than political theater
HANOI (Reuters) – When lawmakers casting ballots are nearly all Communist Party members and “no confidence” is not among the options, a parliamentary censure vote on Vietnam’s top leadership might seem like a pointless exercise.
Russian PM says sanctions must be lifted for ties with West to improve
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was quoted as saying on Thursday sanctions must be abandoned to overcome problems in relations with the West after meeting U.S. President Barack Obama on the sidelines of a meeting in Asia.
Italian engineer abducted in Libya in July freed: Italy ministry
ROME (Reuters) – An Italian construction engineer abducted in Libya last July has been freed, Italy’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.
U.S. says looks forward to full Bali package after agreement with India
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – An agreement between the United States and India to move ahead with a global trade facilitation agreement should give new momentum to multilateral efforts at the World Trade Organization, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman …
Convicted crew of doomed South Korean ferry file for appeal
SEOUL (Reuters) – Eight of the 15 surviving crew members of a South Korean ferry that capsized in April have filed for appeal against their convictions on negligence charges in the country’s worst maritime disaster in more than four decades.
China to lift aid to Pacific, sees cooperation with Taiwan allies
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping will offer a broad aid package to Pacific island nations at a summit in Fiji next week, a foreign ministry official said on Thursday, adding that there was also room to work with six island states not in…
Enough evidence to hold N.Korea’s Kim accountable: U.N. official
SEOUL (Reuters) – A U.N. investigator said on Thursday there was enough evidence to hold North Korean leader Kim Jong Un accountable for “massive” human rights atrocities committed by the state.
Japan’s Abe appears to have decided on poll: LDP official to media
TOKYO (Reuters) – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears to have decided to call an early election, a senior ruling party lawmaker was quoted as saying on Thursday, as expectations mount the Japanese leader would postpone an unpopular tax hike and go to the…
Ban meets Myanmar officials, says concerned about Rohingya minority
NAYPYITAW Myanmar (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told the Myanmar government on Wednesday he is concerned about the welfare of the country’s Rohingya Muslims and asked officials to ensure access for U.N. agencies delivering humanitarian…
Obama seeks review of Syria strategy, sees Assad removal as necessary: CNN
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama wants his advisers to review the administration’s Syria policy after determining it may not be possible to defeat Islamic State militants without removing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, CNN reported on W…
