Hong Kong’s leader asks China to allow democratic reform
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s leader formally asked Beijing on Tuesday to allow electoral reform, paving the way for a city-wide leadership election in the free-wheeling Asian financial hub in 2017.
Typhoon takes aim at China after killing 38 in Philippines
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines set to work clearing debris, reconnecting power and rebuilding flattened houses on Thursday after a typhoon swept across the country killing 38 people, with at least eight missing, rescue officials said.
Manila’s Aquino says military upgrade not aimed at neighbors
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino told his country’s neighbours on Thursday that efforts to modernise the military were not aimed at them but rather at strengthening national defence capabilities and tackling disasters.
French center-right wants Sarkozy re-election despite legal woes: poll
PARIS (Reuters) – A clear majority of French center-right voters want former president Nicolas Sarkozy to seek re-election in 2017 and his support has grown despite legal troubles facing him and his party, an opinion survey showed on Thursday.
Thailand’s ex-PM Yingluck given permission to leave country
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s military rulers have given permission to former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to travel to Europe where she is expected to attend the birthday party of her brother Thaksin, also a deposed former premier, officers sai…
Militants killed after audacious attack on Kabul airport
KABUL (Reuters) – Militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades attacked Kabul International Airport in the Afghan capital on Thursday in one of the most audacious assaults on the facility, used by both civilians and the military, in a year.
South Korea to scrap rice import caps from start of next year: reports
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea will on Friday announce plans to scrap caps on rice imports from the start of 2015, instead managing shipments into the country using a system of steep tariffs, domestic media including the state Yonhap news agency reporte…
Seven people die in Poland after falling into cesspit
WARSAW (Reuters) – Seven people in Poland were killed after falling into a septic tank where they were overcome by toxic gas, rescue services said on Thursday.
Kosovo parliament convenes, opposition seeks coalition deal
PRISTINA (Reuters) – Kosovo took a step towards forming a new government on Thursday when parliament convened for the first time since indecisive June polls, with the opposition seeking a majority to take power from outgoing Prime Minister Hashim Thaci…
U.S. hits oil giant Rosneft, other firms with toughest Russia sanctions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama imposed the biggest package of U.S. economic sanctions yet on Russia on Wednesday, hitting Russia’s largest oil producer Rosneft and other energy, financial and defense firms, with what he called significan…
