Exclusive: U.S. military completes pullback from northeast Syria, Esper says
The United States has completed its military pullback in northeastern Syria, settling into a more stable posture of about 600 troops in the rest of the country after repositioning and reducing forces, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said.
Japan plans to send 270 sailors to Middle East to guard ships -Nikkei
Japan is working on a plan to send about 270 seamen to the Middle East to guard ships supplying Japan under a law that allows military deployments for research and intelligence gathering, the Nikkei business daily said.
Beijing envoy warns of ‘destructive forces’ trying to undermine U.S.-China ties
China’s envoy to the United States on Wednesday said the two countries were trying to resolve their differences over trade, but he warned of forces that he said were trying to drive a wedge between the two, without providing any details.
Bolivia election rigging in favor of Morales was ‘overwhelming’: OAS final report
An Americas regional forum on Wednesday published details of “deliberate” and “malicious” steps to rig Bolivia’s October election in favor of then President Evo Morales, who has resigned and left the Andean nation in political crisis.
China official media blasts U.S. Uighur bill, calls for reprisals
Chinese official media excoriated the United States and called for harsh reprisals in editorials on Thursday after the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation requiring a stronger response to Beijing’s treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority.
Japan planning to send 270 sailors to Middle East to guard ships: Nikkei
Japan is working on a plan to send about 270 seamen to the Middle East to guard ships supplying Japan under a law that allows military deployments for research and intelligence gathering, the Nikkei business daily reported.
Cobwebbed bikes and carpool apps: France braces for public sector strike
Commuters scrambled to fix up old bicycles, reserve carpool rides and arrange emergency childcare ahead of one of France’s biggest public sector strikes in decades on Thursday.
Samoa goes door-to-door to fight measles, combat anti-vaccination messages
Samoa closed all non-essential public and private services on Thursday to combat a measles epidemic that has killed more than 60 people, mostly babies and young children, in a medical task complicated by a vocal anti-vaccination movement.
Pentagon official says there are indications Iranian ‘aggression’ could occur
A senior Pentagon official said on Wednesday there were indications that Iran could potentially carry out aggressive actions in the future, amid simmering tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Little wiggle room as Ukraine, Russia leaders meet for crunch Paris talks
Ukrainian and Russian leaders will try to seal a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and agree prisoner swaps when they meet next week but with Kiev politically constrained and Moscow unlikely to bend, prospects for peace remain bleak, diplomats said.
