World
ReutersAssad's march east compounds West's Syria dilemma
By Tom Perry and Suleiman Al-Khalidi BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) - Syria's war has entered a new phase as President Bashar al-Assad extends his grip in areas being captured from Islamic State, using firepower freed by Russian-backed truces in western Syria. Backed by Russia and Iran, the government
ReutersHong Kong democracy leader defiant as three jailed for months
By Venus Wu and James Pomfret HONG KONG (Reuters) - An appeals court jailed three leaders of Hong Kong's democracy movement for six to eight months on Thursday, dealing a blow to the Chinese-ruled city's youth-led push for universal suffrage and prompting accusations of political interference
ReutersSaudi Arabia to open border, airports to Qatari pilgrims
DUBAI/DOHA (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will open a border crossing for Qataris making the haj pilgrimage and provide a plane to fly pilgrims in, despite a rift in which Saudi Arabia and other states in the region severed transport links with Qatar. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt
- Christian Science Monitor
Why there's been a big drop in women coaches under Title IX
As a synchronized swimmer in college, Kathy Delaney-Smith did not seem destined to become Harvard’s star women’s basketball coach. When she interviewed for a swim coach position in Boston’s southwestern suburbs back in the early 1970s, the superintendent asked if she could also coach their basketball
- Christian Science Monitor
Finding Somaliland's ancient cave art is hard. Protecting it could be harder.
Hidden in the Somali desert, beneath stunning, ancient rock cave paintings, the thin trail of a snake traces a winding line across the dust. Somaliland’s most prized archaeological treasures – which locals fearfully called “the place of the devils” for centuries – could not be more remote. Exposed
- Christian Science Monitor
After brinkmanship, a diplomatic opening with North Korea
For more than two decades, North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them long distances has prompted recurring international crises. Sudden bursts of heightened tension, primarily between the North and the United States, were interspersed with diplomacy that never definitively
- Christian Science Monitor
Meet the Raging Grannies, Portland's not-so-secret warriors for civility
One of the most beloved social activist groups in this Pacific Northwest city, they are the Raging Grannies. “Grannying is the least understood and most powerful weapon we have,” says Granny Rose de Shaw.
- Associated Press
Small plane crash-lands on packed Portuguese beach, kills 2
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — A light plane made an emergency landing on a packed beach near Lisbon on Wednesday, killing a man and an 8-year-old girl who were sunbathing, authorities said.
Associated PressThe Latest: Israeli intel chief in Jordan to heal rift
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Latest on the escalation in Israel and the Palestinian territories over a contested Jerusalem holy site (all times local):
- Associated Press
Chief Justice Roberts says criticism won't stop judges
SYDNEY (AP) — U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, once dubbed "disgraceful" by President Donald Trump, said on Thursday that criticism from politicians won't dissuade judges from doing their jobs.
Associated PressSaudi Arabia reopens Qatar border after surprise meeting
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia said Thursday it is reopening its border with Qatar to allow Qataris to attend the hajj amid a monthslong rift between the neighboring countries that led to both sides trading accusations of politicizing the ritual.
ReutersBritain 'confident' of new phase in Brexit talks by October
By Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Thursday it was "confident" talks with the European Union would move towards discussing their future relationship by October, in contrast to warnings from the top EU negotiator that the target is receding. Prime Minister Theresa May'
ReutersHyundai plans long-range premium electric car in strategic shift
By Hyunjoo Jin SEOUL (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor Co said on Thursday it was placing electric vehicles at the center of its product strategy - one that includes plans for a premium long-distance electric car as it seeks to catch up to Tesla and other rivals. Like Toyota Motor Corp , Hyundai had initially
- Associated Press
Top Asian News 10:51 a.m. GMT
BEIJING (AP) — A military solution to the North Korean missile threat would be "horrific" but allowing Pyongyang to develop the capability to launch a nuclear attack on the United States is "unimaginable," the top U.S. military officer said Thursday in Beijing. The chairman of the
- Associated Press
58 dead in 3 days in renewed Philippine anti-drug bloodshed
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine police say they have killed at least 26 more drug offenders in overnight gunbattles in the capital, bringing the death toll in the president's renewed crackdown to 58 in the last three days.
AFPSyria rebels lose heavyweight with collapse of Islamist faction
Syria's opposition has lost one of its most powerful factions with the collapse of Islamist heavyweight Ahrar al-Sham, which once walked a fine line between jihadists and more mainstream rebels. Clashes between the former allies broke out in mid-July when Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) attacked Ahrar
- Reuters
Iranian opposition leader hospitalized after hunger strike: report
Mehdi Karroubi, an elderly Iranian opposition leader under house arrest since 2011, was hospitalized on Thursday after starting a hunger strike to support his demand for a public trial, his official website reported. Opposition leaders Karroubi, Mirhossein Mousavi and his wife Zahra Rahnavard have been
Associated PressDanish police look for body in missing journalist case
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Copenhagen police say they are looking for a body in the case of a Swedish journalist missing since a trip on a home-built submarine.
- Associated Press
Chinese propaganda video prompts Indian complaint of racism
BEIJING (AP) — China's main state news agency, Xinhua, has released a video online criticizing India in a border dispute that prompted an Indian newspaper to complain of "racist overtones."
- Reuters
U.S. ability to defend itself, allies is 'beyond question', says U.S. ambassador to Japan
By Elaine Lies TOKYO (Reuters) - America's ability to defend itself and its allies against North Korea is "beyond question", U.S. Ambassador William Hagerty said on Thursday, as he arrived in Japan to take up his post, and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to its alliance with Tokyo
ReutersU.S. says joint S.Korea war games not on the negotiating table
By Michael Martina and Christine Kim BEIJING/SEOUL (Reuters) - The United States and South Korea will go ahead with joint military drills next week, the top U.S. military official said on Thursday, resisting pressure from North Korea and its ally China to halt the contentious exercises. North Korea
AFPMelbourne retains world's most liveable city crown
Melbourne has topped a list of the world's most liveable city for the seventh year running but terrorism and diplomatic tensions are eroding living conditions worldwide, an annual report from the Economist has found. The Australian city was ranked number one out of 140 cities, slightly ahead of
- Associated Press
Bavarian black swan finds companion through lonely hearts ad
BERLIN (AP) — A black swan in Bavaria is no longer alone after finding a mate thanks to a lonely hearts ad.
- Associated Press
Vietnam criticizes US religious freedom report
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam has criticized the U.S. State Department's annual international religious freedom report, describing it as containing partial and false information about Vietnam.
