Confrontation over the South China Sea ‘doomed’, China tells claimants
BEIJING (Reuters) – Countries with territorial claims in the South China Sea that look for help from third parties will find their efforts “futile”, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned on Thursday, adding that the path of confrontation would be “do…
Report to find UK shale resources bigger than thought: source
LONDON (Reuters) – Shale resources in the north of England could be much larger than previously thought, raising the prospect of new domestic gas supplies to replace dwindling North Sea reserves, a government source said on Thursday.
Insight: Kuwaitis campaign privately to arm Syrian rebels
KUWAIT (Reuters) – At a traditional evening meeting known as a “diwaniya”, Kuwaiti men drop banknotes into a box, opening a campaign to arm up to 12,000 anti-government fighters in Syria. A new Mercedes is parked outside to be auctioned off for cash.
Manila plans air, naval bases at Subic with access for U.S., officials say
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippine military has revived plans to build new air and naval bases at Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base that American forces could use to counter China’s creeping presence in the disputed South China Sea, senior navy offici…
In crisis-hit Athens, plans for a mosque reveal deep divisions
ATHENS (Reuters) – Pakistani taxi driver Muhammad Zafeer says he has to look over his shoulder when he goes to pray in Athens, where racist attackers have targeted several of the many makeshift mosques set up in cramped garages or dingy warehouses.
U.S. cyber leaker Snowden sits tight in Moscow transit
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden was believed to still be at a Moscow airport on Thursday and officials said he had not booked a flight out despite pressure from Russian President Vladimir Putin to leave.
Thai court delays $9.5 billion flood management project
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A Thai court on Thursday ordered the suspension of planned flood control projects worth around 290 billion baht ($9.5 billion) pending a public hearing, causing delays to a scheme aimed at preventing a repeat of devastating floods i…
Merkel tells Turkey democratic values ‘non-negotiable’ for EU
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday she welcomed an agreement to reopen talks with Turkey about joining the European Union but warned in the light of the crackdown on Turkish anti-government protests that democratic valu…
Portuguese stage general strike against relentless austerity
LISBON (Reuters) – Portuguese trade unions staged a one-day general strike on Thursday against relentless austerity which has deepened the worst economic slump since the 1970s, but support outside the public transport sector was patchy and the governme…
Rudd sworn in as Australian PM after overthrowing Gillard
CANBERRA (Reuters) – Kevin Rudd was sworn in as Australian prime minister for the second time on Thursday, a day after toppling Julia Gillard and three months ahead of elections in which opinion polls show the ruling Labor Party faces a devastating def…
