As Obama visits Asia, old alliances face new strains in face of China’s influence
WASHINGTON/JAKARTA (Reuters) – In November 2011, with the Arab Spring uprisings in full tilt and Europe rocked by a debt crisis, President Barack Obama flew to Asia to promote a shift of America’s military, diplomatic and business assets to the region. His then Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, declared in the same year that the 21st century would be “America’s Pacific century”.
Spain’s Rajoy appeals for dialogue after Catalan vote
MADRID (Reuters) – Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Saturday called for renewed dialogue and a “return to sanity” in Catalonia as the region prepares to hold a symbolic vote on independence that is strongly opposed by the central government.
Pope demotes outspoken American conservative cardinal
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis on Saturday demoted an outspoken conservative American cardinal who has been highly critical of the pontiff’s reformist leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.
Unclear if China ready to sign IT agreement: WTO chief
BEIJING (Reuters) – China is part of “intensive” talks on a global trade pact regarding information technology products, the World Trade Organization’s chief said on Saturday, but it is unclear if a deal will be made at a meeting of Asia-Pacific leader…
Indian police arrest suspect in plot to kill Bangladesh PM
GUWAHATI India (Reuters) – Indian police have arrested a 36-year-old woman suspected of being involved in a plot to assassinate the prime minister of Bangladesh and carry out a coup, police said on Saturday.
China says hopes Japan can create favorable atmosphere for talks
BEIJING (Reuters) – China said on Saturday it hopes Japan can create a favorable atmosphere for an expected meeting between the two countries’ leaders, a day after the two sides signaled willingness to put a bitter row over disputed islands on the back…
Supporters of slain Myanmar journalist demand investigation
YANGON (Reuters) – A funeral was held Friday for a Myanmar journalist, two days after his body was exhumed from a shallow grave where soldiers buried him when he died in military custody a month earlier. Some 400 family, friends and supporters of the j…
Pakistan says will help China fight Xinjiang militants
BEIJING (Reuters) – Pakistan will help China with its fight against extremists Beijing says are active in its unruly far western region of Xinjiang, the country’s prime minister said on Saturday during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Houthi expansion puts Yemen on edge of civil war
SANAA/DUBAI (Reuters) – An advance into Yemen’s Sunni Muslim heartland by Shi’ite Houthi fighters has galvanised support for al Qaeda among some Sunnis, deepening the religious hue of the country’s many conflicts, with potential consequences well beyon…
Amnesty calls for release of pro-HK activists before APEC summit
BEIJING (Reuters) – China should release at least 76 people, detained on the mainland for supporting Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests, before the start of next week’s Asia-Pacific leaders summit in Beijing, rights group Amnesty International said on …
