Reuters Asia Top

By Andrea Shalal and Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The World Bank has resumed work on three projects in Afghanistan focused on health, agriculture and livelihoods, but will maintain a hold on some $150 million for education projects, two sources familiar with the decision said Tuesday. The multilateral development bank had put all four projects, …

World Bank to push ahead with some Afghan projects, maintain pause on education support -sources Read More »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is concerned about the lack of transparency in China’s reported security pact with the Solomon Islands, the White House said on Tuesday, calling it part of a pattern of Beijing offering “shadowy” deals to countries. China said earlier it had signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands, heightening …

U.S. is concerned about lack of transparency of China pact with Solomon Islands –White House Read More »

By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday slashed its forecast for global economic growth by nearly a full percentage point, citing Russia’s war in Ukraine, and warning that inflation was now a “clear and present danger” for many countries. The war is expected to further increase inflation, the IMF said in …

IMF cuts global growth forecast due to “seismic waves” from Russia’s war in Ukraine Read More »

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a video call with U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders that Tokyo now plans to extend $300 million in loans to Ukraine, up from an original offer of $100 million, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said. Earlier on Tuesday the government said Japan would provide Ukraine …

Japan trebles loans to Ukraine to $300 million -PM Kishida to other leaders Read More »

LONDON (Reuters) – Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani spoke with British leader Boris Johnson about his desire to export energy to Europe and reduce reliance on Russian oil and gas. “Prime Minister Barzani spoke about his aspiration to export energy to Europe, and the Prime Minister (Johnson) lauded his efforts to help reduce Western reliance …

UK and Kurdish leaders discuss energy exports to replace Russian oil and gas Read More »

By Asif Shahzad and Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – New Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday appointed a multi-party coalition cabinet made up of what had previously been political rivals in opposition who united to oust Imran Khan. The cabinet, including five women, immediately set to work cementing relations with China as it …

Pakistan’s new PM picks coalition cabinet after Khan ousted Read More »

COLOMBO (Reuters) – At least one person was killed and over a dozen injured in Sri Lanka after protesters clashed with police in the central town of Rambukkana, a doctor told Reuters, the first fatality since demonstrations began in the crisis-hit country weeks ago. “Fifteen people who were injured in the incident were brought to …

One dead, several injured in Sri Lanka after police clash with protesters -doctor Read More »