Putin accepts invitation to visit Italy
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit Italy, seen as one of the European countries most likely to press for a thaw in relations with Moscow and a lifting of EU sanctions.
Prominent Vietnamese academic under fire for criticism of one-party rule
In a rare ideological denunciation of one of its members, Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party has publicly criticized a prominent and outspoken academic for publishing translations of books it said were critical of socialism and one-party rule.
EU negotiator plays down hopes of Brexit divorce deal in three weeks: Telegraph
A senior European Union negotiator has poured cold water on hopes that a Brexit divorce deal could be reached within three weeks, Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday.
Suspected Boko Haram militants kill 15 in northeast Nigeria: residents
Suspected members of the Islamist Boko Haram insurgency killed at least 15 people in an attack on a group of villages in northeast Nigeria late on Wednesday, residents told Reuters.
Amid trade war, China premier says Sino-U.S. ties can improve
China and the United States can overcome their differences and get relations back on track if they work together in a spirit of mutual respect, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told a group of visiting U.S. politicians on Thursday.
‘Ashamed and scared’: group details ‘endemic’ sex abuse in North Korea
Sexual abuse by North Korean officials appears to be “endemic”, a watchdog group reported on Thursday, as activists complain the isolated country’s rights record is being ignored as an international push is made to improve relations.
Putin’s visit to Italy will be agreed via diplomatic channels: Kremlin
The date of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Italy will be agreed via diplomatic channels, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
Japan still has no Iran sanctions waiver after talks with U.S. officials
Japan said on Thursday it had not yet been granted a waiver from a U.S. plan to reimpose sanctions aimed at cutting Iran out of international markets, while the top two customers for Iranian oil, China and India, were awaiting word on possible exemptio…
Drug cartels test Central America for cocaine production
Cocaine production is beginning to creep into Central America, a development which could bring the supply of the drug closer to the United States and create a new security risk for an already troubled region.
Japanese carmakers’ weapon of choice in Trump trade war: Flexible factories
At points along the assembly line at Nissan Motor Co Ltd’s 7201.T largest U.S. factory, workers wheel trolleys past shelves selecting parts wherever they see a green or blue light.
