Fiji ruler looks set to win poll, but opponents spotlight fraud
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Fiji’s strongman ruler looked set on Friday to sail to victory in the South Pacific island nation’s first elections after eight years of military rule, a contest praised by regional leaders and observers, but clouded by opposition ac…
China to try former senior planning official for corruption
BEIJING (Reuters) – A Chinese court will next week try a former deputy head of its top planning agency with corruption, state media said on Friday, after allegations against him were posted online and as the government pursues a high-profile campaign t…
North Korea probe on Japan abductees in early stage: Japan government
TOKYO (Reuters) – North Korea has told Japan it can only give a preliminary report on the status of its investigation into the fate of Japanese citizens abducted by Pyongyang decades ago and of other missing Japanese, the government spokesman in Tokyo …
Australian PM cites ‘chatter’ of attacks on government, parliament
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Intelligence “chatter” has revealed that militants plan to attack Australian politicians and government buildings, the prime minister said on Friday, a day after hundreds of police carried out a sweeping counter-terrorism operation.
Obama not due to meet Iran’s Rouhani but open to it: U.S. official
NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama is not scheduled to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in New York during the United Nations General Assembly next week, though the U.S. leader remains open to such a meeting, a senior U.S. official s…
Maverick and web tycoon shape as key players in New Zealand election
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – A pugnacious political maverick who wants tighter controls on the economy, immigration and on foreigners buying land, is shaping up as the king maker in New Zealand elections on Saturday.
Islamic State shows captive British journalist in new video
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Islamic State militants fighting in Iraq and Syria released a video on Thursday that they said shows British journalist John Cantlie in captivity saying he will soon reveal “facts” about the group to counter its portrayal in Western …
Armed Shi’ite rebels push into Yemen’s capital
SANAA (Reuters) – Armed Shi’ite rebels pushed into Yemen’s capital Sanaa after clashing with the army on the northwestern outskirts on Thursday, security sources and residents said, causing further instability after weeks of fighting and protests.
U.S. sanctions military officers on both sides of South Sudan conflict
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States imposed sanctions on two military officers on opposite sides of the ethnic violence in South Sudan on Thursday in a demonstration of U.S. frustration that fighting has continued despite two ceasefires.
Scots independence polls close, UK’s future in the balance
EDINBURGH (Reuters) – Scotland has voted on whether to stay within the United Kingdom or declare independence to break the 307-year-old union in a finely balanced referendum with global consequences.