Seoul, Washington fail to agree on cost of U.S. troops; U.S. denies $5 billion demand
South Korea and the United States failed on Wednesday to reach an agreement over Seoul’s contribution toward hosting some 28,500 U.S. troops, ending two days of talks that were the last before their existing deal expires on Dec. 31.
Erdogan says world powers have not backed refugee ‘safe zone’ in Syria: NTV
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said world powers had not yet offered any support for his planned “safe zone” in northern Syria, where he intends to resettle a million Syrian refugees, broadcaster NTV reported on Wednesday.
Ex-PM Blair tells Britain’s Labour: change or you will disappear
Former British prime minister Tony Blair, Labour’s most successful leader, on Wednesday urged the party to rebuild from electoral humiliation by rejecting the “protest movement with cult trimmings” created by outgoing leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Change to Chinese university’s charter dropping ‘freedom of thought’ stirs debate
Changes to the charter of one of China’s top universities that dropped the phrase “freedom of thought” and added a pledge to follow the Communist Party’s leadership have sparked heated debate and a rare act of student defiance.
India court dismisses appeal against death penalty in grisly 2012 gang-rape and murder
India’s top court on Wednesday dismissed an appeal against the death penalty by one of four men convicted of the gang-rape of a woman on a bus in New Delhi and her murder, saying it found no reason to review the sentence.
Indonesia police question suspected Islamic militants arrested in Papua
Indonesian anti-terrorism officers are interrogating eight suspected Islamic militants arrested in the province of Papua on suspicion that they were planning an attack, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.
Gunmen in Pakistan kill two police escorting polio vaccinators
Gunmen shot and killed two police officers escorting a polio vaccination team on Wednesday forcing a suspension of the immunization campaign in a district of northwest Pakistan, where the crippling disease is endemic.
Wenger says Ozil must ‘accept consequences’ of China criticism
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Wednesday Mesut Ozil must “accept the consequences” of criticizing China’s treatment of its Uighur Muslims, but he defended the star midfielder’s right to express an opinion.
Erdogan says Turkey to boost cooperation with Libya: NTV
Turkey will improve cooperation with Libya by offering military support to its internationally recognized government and backing joint steps in the eastern Mediterranean, broadcaster NTV cited President Tayyip Erdogan as saying on Wednesday.
Erdogan says world powers yet to pledge Syria ‘safe zone’ support: NTV
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said world powers have yet to pledge support for the country’s “safe zone” plans in northern Syria, where it intends to resettle one million Syrian refugees, broadcaster NTV reported on Wednesday.
