UK says deploys a destroyer to track Russian aircraft carrier
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain said on Thursday it had deployed a destroyer to track a Russian aircraft carrier sailing close to its coastal waters, the latest in a series of such incidents and a reminder of underlying tensions between London and Moscow.
China blames Vietnam for sea collisions, but calls for talks
BEIJING/HANOI (Reuters) – China accused Vietnam on Thursday of intentionally colliding with its ships in the South China Sea, but called for talks to end a bitter row sparked by Beijing’s parking of a giant oil rig in contested waters.
Pro-Russian rebels will hold Ukraine referendum, defy Putin
DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) – Pro-Russian separatists voted unanimously on Thursday in favor of holding a referendum on independence, defying calls by Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone the vote to open the way for talks with the Kiev authorit…
One shot dead in China’s troubled Xinjiang after attack on police
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese police on Thursday shot dead an assailant who attacked a police vehicle with knives in China’s far western region of Xinjiang, the latest in a string of violent attacks that have raised concerns of greater instability in the…
Thai graft agency rules against ex-PM as ‘red shirts’ head for Bangkok
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s anti-graft agency indicted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for negligence on Thursday, a ruling that came a day after a court threw her out of office and could kill off any hopes she has of staging an electoral …
Bulgarian PM’s chief of staff charged in embezzlement case
SOFIA (Reuters) – The Bulgarian prime minister’s chief of staff was charged on Thursday with aiding in the embezzlement of European Union funds, two weeks after two senior magistrates were charged with the scheme.
Chinese premier pledges ‘no strings’ support for pan-African rail network
ABUJA (Reuters) – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged “no strings” support for an African plan to develop a continent-wide high speed rail network, and said China has set aside $2 billion for an African Development Fund.
Putin oversees test rocket launches ahead of holiday, says pre-planned
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin oversaw test launches of Russia’s most powerful rockets on Thursday during military training exercises held across Russia ahead of celebrations of the anniversary of its World War Two victory.
Gunmen kill Pakistan lawyer defending blasphemy case
MULTAN, Pakistan (Reuters) – Gunmen posing as clients shot dead a prominent human rights lawyer defending a professor accused of blasphemy, officials said Thursday, underscoring the danger facing those trying to put an end to religious intolerance in m…
Iran, six powers hold ‘useful’ nuclear talks; agreement elusive
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Iran and six world powers held more “useful” talks on Tehran’s nuclear program, both sides said, although a Western diplomat said they were still struggling to overcome deep disagreements on the future of Iranian atomic capabilitie…
