China detains 29 in security operation in restive Xinjiang
BEIJING (Reuters) – Authorities in China’s Xinjiang region have rounded up 29 suspects on charges such as inciting separatism, state media said on Thursday, part of a crackdown following deadly attacks blamed by Beijing on Islamists and other militants…
South Korea poll offers fresh mandate for Park to speed reform
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean President Park Geun-hye was handed a sharp rebuke at regional and mayoral polls for her government’s handling of April’s ferry disaster but an official said on Thursday her party can now work to rebuild trust in the griev…
Indonesia presidential candidate Jokowi says he’d have market-friendly policies
JAKARTA (Reuters) – The front-runner to become Indonesia’s new president, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, has told investors that he will pursue market-friendly policies and make bureaucratic reform and infrastructure-building his priorities.
Assad declared landslide victor in wartime Syrian election
BEIRUT (Reuters) – President Bashar al-Assad has secured a landslide victory in a wartime election that was condemned as a sham by his opponents but demonstrated his tenacious hold on power after three years of brutal civil war.
Japan says gained G7 understanding on its stance on North Korea
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan has gained understanding from the Group of Seven industrialized nations on its stance on North Korea, top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said on Thursday.
China takes more assertive line in South Sudan diplomacy
JUBA (Reuters) – China is swapping its reserved diplomacy for a hands-on approach to help resolve a more than five-month-old rebellion in South Sudan that threatens Beijing’s oil investments.
Inside the White House’s decision to free Bergdahl
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – For President Barack Obama, it seemed like the right thing to do, according to officials in his administration: Release five Taliban detainees at Guantanamo Bay prison in return for Bowe Bergdahl, the only known American prisoner…
Iraq hospital bombing kills 14
HILLA Iraq (Reuters) – A car bomb exploded near a hospital in the southern Iraqi city of Hilla late on Wednesday, killing at least 14 people, police and medical sources said.
Obama’s counterterrorism doctrine: Let locals lead the fight
NEW YORK (Reuters) – (This May31 story corrects spelling of byline to Rohde, not Rhode)
G7 willing to step up sanctions on Russia over Ukraine
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The world’s leading industrialized nations threatened on Wednesday to impose harder-hitting sanctions on Russia if it does not help restore stability to eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian militias continue to operate at will.
