Taiwan president leaves for U.S., warns of threat from ‘overseas forces’
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen headed for the United States on Thursday on a trip that has angered Beijing, warning that democracy must be defended and the island faced threats from “overseas forces”, in a veiled reference to China.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards deny trying to stop British tanker in Gulf – Fars news
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards rejected on Thursday a U.S. claim that they tried to stop a British tanker in the Gulf a day earlier, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
IAEA meeting did not produce any results for America: Iran ambassador to IAEA
An emergency meeting of the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Wednesday, held at Washington’s request to weigh Tehran’s breach of a nuclear deal, did not produce any results for America, Iran’s ambassador to the body said on Thursday, according to the Islamic R…
North Korea calls South Korea’s F-35 jet purchases ‘extremely dangerous action’
South Korea’s acquisition of American F-35 stealth fighter jets will force North Korea to develop and test “special armaments” to destroy the new weapons, North Korea’s state media said on Thursday, citing a government researcher.
Amnesty International calls on South Korea to end discrimination of gay soldiers
Amnesty International on Thursday called on South Korea to decriminalize same-sex relationships for men in the military, warning current laws fuel violence, discrimination and stigmatization against gay soldiers.
Sour note: Sistine Chapel Choir director resigns after fraud allegations
The director of the Sistine Chapel Choir, which has provided the musical backdrop to papal events for centuries, has resigned following allegations of fraud and embezzlement.
Iranian boats ‘harass’ British tanker in the Gulf: U.S. officials
Five boats believed to belong to Iranian Revolutionary Guards approached a British oil tanker in the Gulf on Wednesday and asked it to stop in Iranian waters close by, but withdrew after a British warship warned them, U.S. officials said.
Six foreign nationals killed as severe weather hits Greece
Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed and more than 100 other people injured after gale-force winds, rain and hailstorms struck northern Greece late on Wednesday, uprooting trees and collapsing roofs, authorities said.
Brazil pension overhaul bill wins by resounding margin in lower house
Brazil’s lower house of Congress approved a landmark overhaul of the country’s pension system on Wednesday by a far wider margin than predicted, delivering a resounding victory to the government in its quest to revive public finances.
Former Puerto Rico government officials arrested in corruption probe
Two former high-ranking Puerto Rico government officials were among six people arrested and charged with conspiracy and other crimes in connection with millions of dollars in federal education and Medicaid funds, U.S. law enforcement officials said on …
