Reuters

PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Just over 170,000 migrants crossed the perilous Darien Gap that connects Panama to Colombia over the first five months of this year, Panama's migration agency said on Thursday, suggesting 2024 could again break records.

This is 2% higher than the nearly 167,000 who made the crossing in the same period of last year, data from the National Migration Service (SNM) showed, as more people embark on the dangerous crossing, many... (continue reading...)

By Kirsty Needham

(Reuters) - Australia's ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, cautioned in a speech that the global consequences of a war over Taiwan would be as great as the impact of the Second World War, making the world "a radically different place".

If Chinese President Xi Jinping, who turns 71 this month, wanted to achieve reunification of Taiwan he would likely act in the next decade before he reaches his 80s, Rudd said in... (continue reading...)

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippine coast guard on Friday accused its Chinese counterpart of blocking efforts to evacuate a sick armed forces member in the South China Sea, calling it "barbaric and inhumane".

The incident, which the Philippines said took place last month, involved a member of a small contingent of marines posted to guard the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine vessel grounded at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, the site of repeated... (continue reading...)

By Kevin Buckland

TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar hovered close to an eight-week low on Friday, ahead of a crucial U.S. jobs report that should provide clues on the timing of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

The euro held on to overnight gains after the European Central Bank reduced rates in a well-telegraphed move, but offered few hints about future easing as lingering inflation clouds the outlook.

The U.S. dollar index,... (continue reading...)

TOKYO (Reuters) - Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Friday that recent foreign exchange intervention was conducted to contain excessive volatility, but such action should be done in a restrained manner.

"Foreign exchange intervention should be done with its necessity and effectiveness taken into account," Suzuki said, speaking in a regular post-cabinet meeting news conference.

Data from the Ministry of Finance showed last week that... (continue reading...)