Pentagon denies report U.S. mulls pulling up to 4,000 troops from South Korea
The United States on Thursday denied a South Korean news report that it was considering withdrawing up to 4,000 troops from South Korea if it does not pay more for maintaining a 28,500-strong U.S. contingent deterring North Korean aggression.
Activists hope Pope Francis will sway Japanese opinion on death penalty
Japanese activists opposed to capital punishment hope the visit of Pope Francis this weekend will help to soften public opinion in a nation where most people still support the death penalty.
North Korea says ‘pointless’ for Kim to attend South Korea ASEAN summit
North Korea rejected an invitation for leader Kim Jong Un to attend a planned summit in South Korea next week with Southeast Asian nations, saying it would be “pointless” due to strained ties, North Korean state media reported on Thursday.
Anti-Trump protest planned in London during December visit
A protest against U.S. President Donald Trump will take place in central London during his December visit to attend the NATO summit, protest organizers said on Thursday.
Turkey says talking with Russia over Kurdish YPG in northeast Syria
Turkey is discussing with Russia how to address the continued presence of Kurdish YPG militants in areas covered by an agreement between the two countries, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Thursday.
Two killed and 38 wounded in Baghdad protests: security sources
Two people were killed and 38 wounded early on Thursday when Iraqi security forces fired tear gas canisters at protesters near two key bridges in Baghdad, security and medical sources said.
ANC lawmaker arrested on corruption charge: South Africa police
A senior lawmaker for South Africa’s governing African National Congress party was arrested on Thursday on a corruption charge and released on bail after a court appearance, police said.
Russia opens investigation into space center fraud after Putin rebuke
Russian investigators said on Thursday they had opened two criminal cases into the management of a company involved in building the Vostochny Cosmodrome, a space center in the country’s Far East.
Malaysians arrest 680 suspected members of Chinese online fraud gang
Malaysian authorities have arrested 680 Chinese nationals suspected of operating an extensive online fraud operation cheating people in their homeland, officials said on Thursday.
Senior China diplomat says Beijing will never allow anyone to destroy HK’s stability
China resolutely opposes U.S. lawmakers’ passing of a Hong Kong human rights bill and will never allow anyone to destroy Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said on Thursday.
