Bloomberg China’s increased reliance on non-naval ships to assert its claims in the South China Sea is complicating U.S. efforts to avoid a clash in the disputed waters, according to 7th Fleet commander Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin. While the U.S. and Chinese navies are working more closely under an agreed code for unplanned encounters at sea, the deployment of coast …

LONDON / AFP Europe’s largest bank HSBC said it would remain headquartered in Britain, rejecting a move to Hong Kong despite concerns about increased regulation in the UK and a possible split from the EU. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation said London’s many advantages meant it was “ideally positioned” to provide a home base. It made no reference to …

Bloomberg The political crisis roiling Ukraine’s post- revolution leaders is coming to a head after the International Monetary Fund threatened to cut off aid and another top reformer quit. If efforts to revamp the cabinet fail, the risk is early elections. PM ArseniyYatsenyuk is set to report to parliament this week on government performance, with proposed personnel changes to follow. …