Damascus intensifies Ghouta assault in bid to cut rebel enclave in half
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian government forces bombarded eastern Ghouta anew on Wednesday in an effort to slice the rebel enclave in two, intensifying a campaign to deal the opposition its biggest defeat since 2016.
‘Acts of genocide’ suspected against Rohingya in Myanmar: U.N.
GENEVA/YANGON (Reuters) – The United Nations human rights chief said on Wednesday he strongly suspected that “acts of genocide” may have taken place against Muslim Rohingyas in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state since August.
U.S. turns to music in bid to woo Cambodians
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – With U.S.-Cambodian relations at a low and Chinese influence growing, Washington is trying a new way to win hearts and minds: sponsoring a well-known Cambodian musician to sing positive songs about America.
U.N. rights chief denounces repressive climate in Egypt ahead of poll
GENEVA (Reuters) – The U.N. human rights chief on Wednesday decried a “pervasive climate of intimidation” in Egypt ahead of presidential elections this month that he said has been marked by arrests, torture of detainees and “silencing” of independent m…
South Korea’s Moon says sanctions on North to stay, too early to be optimistic
SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Wednesday sanctions on North Korea will not be eased for the sake of a summit between the two sides as Chinese state media repeated Beijing’s line that talks are the only way to en…
Possibility of North Korea detente stirs diplomatic angst in Japan
TOKYO (Reuters) – An agreement between North and South Korea to hold a summit and signals about possible talks between North Korea and the United States are stirring concern in Japan about its diplomatic nightmare – being left out in the cold.
Buddhist mobs target Sri Lanka’s Muslims despite state of emergency
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Buddhist mobs attacked mosques and businesses belonging to Sri Lanka’s minority Muslims overnight, police said on Wednesday, despite the imposition of a state of emergency to restore peace in the bitterly divided island.
Britain’s top ministers to meet on mysterious illness of Russian double agent
SALISBURY, England (Reuters) – British investigators will update an emergency response committee of senior ministers on Wednesday about the mystery illness that struck down a former Russian double agent and his daughter.
Australia reveals first gay marriage ended in heartbreak after just 48 days
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Australia’s first gay marriage lasted just 48 days and ended in heartbreak with the death of a terminally ill woman, Queensland state parliament heard on Wednesday after the family gave permission for details to be released.
South Korea’s Moon says North Korea sanctions stay, too early to be optimistic about talks
SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in said on Wednesday sanctions on North Korea will not be eased for the sake of a summit with Pyongyang, but China’s state media warned nuclear North Korea will not be intimidated and that t…
