Southeast Asia group calls on China to speed up maritime security talks
NAYPYITAW (Reuters) – Southeast Asian foreign ministers voiced “serious concerns” on Saturday over naval clashes between Vietnam and China as the regional group’s top official urged Beijing to step up efforts to advance talks on maritime security.
Thai government supporters rally to ‘defend democracy’
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Supporters of Thailand’s beleaguered government gathered on Saturday on the outskirts of Bangkok, saying they were determined to safeguard democracy as rival anti-government protesters pressed their campaign in the city.
Somali president wants aid airlift for towns retaken from rebels
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somalia needs help airlifting basic supplies to towns recently retaken by African Union-led forces because Islamist insurgents who were driven out from those areas are blocking aid convoys, the president told Reuters in an intervi…
Pro-Hamas newspaper back on sale in West Bank in new unity step
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – A pro-Islamist newspaper was sold in the West Bank on Saturday for the first time in seven years, another sign of a Palestinian unity pact that prompted Israel to suspend peace talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Ab…
Michelle Obama ‘outraged’ over Nigeria kidnapped girls
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. first lady Michelle Obama took the rare step of delivering her husband President Barack Obama’s weekly radio address on Saturday to express outrage over the kidnapping of some 200 girls in Nigeria last month.
Indonesia’s envoy to Australia to return this month as tensions ease
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia’s ambassador to Australia said on Saturday he was expected to return to his post by the end of this month, in a sign of easing diplomatic tension between the two countries.
Magnitude 6.0 quake hits southwestern Mexico, no damage reported
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Mexico early on Saturday morning and was also felt in Mexico City, but there were no immediate reports of damage.
Militants attack presidential palace in mounting Yemen turmoil
SANAA (Reuters) – Suspected al Qaeda-linked gunmen attacked Yemen’s presidential palace on Friday and tried to kill the defense minister in his car, selecting high profile targets in apparent reprisal for the army’s biggest push against militants in ne…
Search for Flight MH370 heads to site of first ‘ping’
HMAS STIRLING NAVAL BASE, Australia (Reuters) – An Australian naval vessel carrying an underwater drone involved in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 left port on Saturday on its second mission to scan part of the Indian Ocean where the lon…
Philippines jails Chinese fishermen for infringing wildlife law
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines has jailed 11 Chinese fishermen caught with endangered sea turtles off a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, officials said on Saturday, rejecting demands from China to free the men.
