Reuters, Washington
Despite a much-heralded fresh start in U.S.-India ties under Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a diplomatic source said on Friday the United States has run into problems arranging visits by two senior officials, recalling a diplomatic spat that soured relations two years ago.
Washington has been seeking to send Susan Coppedge, its newly appointed anti-people trafficking ambassador, and Randy Berry, its special envoy for LGBT rights, to New Delhi this month.
Human trafficking has caused friction between the United States and India. The countries also disagree on gay rights, which the Obama administration promotes, while homosexuality in India is illegal.
Gunmen seize 14 from bus in Afghanistan
Reuters , Kandahar
Unidentified gunmen in Afghanistan on Saturday kidnapped 14 bus passengers believed to be from the Hazara ethnic minority, 10 days after the killing of seven Hazaras by militants sparked one of the biggest protests in Kabul in years.
Gunmen stopped three night buses in Zabul province, on the main road between Kabul and the southern city of Kandahar, and kidnapped passengers, said provincial police chief Mirwais Noorzai.
US to sale 3 Global Hawk drones to Japan
Reuters, Washington
The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of three unmanned drones worth $1.2 billion to Japan, the Pentagon said Friday.
Lawmakers have 15 days to block the sale, although such action is rare. Once the deal has cleared that hurdle, Japan and the U.S. government can negotiate the actual sale.
The Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign arms sales, told lawmakers the government of Japan had asked to buy three Global Hawk drones including parts and logistical support.
Coal mine fire in northeast China kills 21
AFP, Shanghai
At least 21 people died in a fire at a mine operated by northeast China’s biggest state-owned coal company, state media reported on Saturday, the latest accident in the country’s trouble-plagued resources sector.
The fire broke out late Friday evening at a mine operated by state giant Longmay Mining Holding Group in Heilongjiang province’s Jixi city, said the Xinhua news agency, which earlier reported 22 miners were trapped.
Obama meets refugees as bitter Syria debate rages
Reuters, Kuala Lumpur
US President Barack Obama visited a refugee centre in Malaysia on Saturday to highlight his call for more compassion at home to deal with a global migrant crisis, as Republicans seek to block U.S. acceptance of Syrian refugees.
Speaking of the children he met at the Dignity for Children Foundation in Kuala Lumpur, Obama said “that’s the face of not only children from Myanmar, that’s the face of Syrian children and Iraqi children”.
