China aims to build houses, roads in Sri Lanka north to extend sway
China wants to build houses and roads in Sri Lanka’s north, much of which is in a state of disrepair nearly a decade after the end of civil war, Chinese and Sri Lankan officials said, in a bid to expand it influence beyond the island’s south.
U.N. invites Iran, Russia, Turkey to talks on Syria next month
U.N. Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura has invited Iran, Russia and Turkey to talks on Syria’s Constitutional Committee, to be held in Geneva on Sept. 11-12, a U.N. spokeswoman said on Friday.
Vietnamese website taunts Chinese drama fans with South China Sea quiz
A Vietnamese website, which only works when users correctly answer a quiz about disputed islands in the South China Sea, has infuriated scores of television fans in China desperate to catch the latest episode of a popular Chinese period drama.
New Australian PM promises stability after decade of ‘revolving door’ leadership
Incoming Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised generational change in the warring Liberal party on Friday, seeking to end an internecine battle that has scarred the conservative government ahead of an election due by May 2019.
Italy’s Di Maio vows ‘hard line’ with European Commission over migrants on ship
Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Friday that Italy will take a “hard line” with the European Commission at a meeting in Brussels to distribute migrants being held on a coast guard ship in Sicily and repeated a threat to suspend EU funds over…
Air Canada Boeing 777 makes safe emergency landing at Tokyo’s Haneda: official
An Air Canada Boeing 777 made a safe emergency landing with no injuries at Tokyo’s Haneda airport on Friday after reporting engine trouble, a Japanese transport ministry official said.
Russia says setting up Putin visit to Saudi Arabia: TASS
Russia is preparing for President Vladimir Putin to visit Saudi Arabia and a trip will take place at a time depending on Putin’s schedule, TASS news agency cited Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as saying on Friday.
Russia may ban more U.S. politicians over sanctions: deputy foreign minister
Moscow may ban more U.S. politicians from entering Russia as part of a response to a new round of U.S. sanctions, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with a Russian magazine published on Friday.
China seeks domination, U.S. says, after El Salvador dumps Taiwan
The United States on Thursday attacked El Salvador’s decision to ditch diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China, saying the change was of grave concern to Washington and warning that China was offering economic inducements to seek domination.
Thomas Cook moves 300 Egyptian hotel customers after death of couple
Britain’s Thomas Cook said it was moving all 301 of its customers from a hotel in Hurghada, Egypt, as a precautionary measure after two of its holidaymakers died in circumstances it said were still unclear.
