South Africa to quit war crimes court: justice minister
PRETORIA (Reuters) – South Africa is pulling out of the International Criminal Court (ICC) because its obligations are inconsistent with laws giving sitting leaders diplomatic immunity, Justice Minister Michael Masutha said on Friday.
Church bells around the world toll for civilian casualties in Aleppo
HELSINKI (Reuters) – Churches across the world are joining a Helsinki parish in ringing their bells daily to commemorate civilians killed in the battle for the Syrian city of Aleppo.
Schizophrenia not a mental illness, Pakistan’s top court says
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan’s top court has ruled that schizophrenia does not fall within its legal definition of mental disorders, clearing the way for the execution, as soon as next week, of a mentally ill man convicted of murder.
Thailand at a crossroads following king’s death, PM says
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand is at a crossroads following the death of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Friday, urging Thais to stick together and become a “leading country”.
Russia summons Belgian ambassador over row about Syria air strike: Ifax
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Belgium’s ambassador on Friday in connection with a row over Syria, the Interfax news agency quoted an embassy source as saying.
Australia, with tight gun curbs, announces new firearms amnesty
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia on Friday announced a gun amnesty for next year after a criminal intelligence report estimated there were 260,000 illegal firearms in the country.
Thailand’s opposition heartland shelves politics to mourn king
KHON KAEN, Thailand (Reuters) – In villages scattered through the green rice fields of northeast Thailand, a stronghold of support for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his opposition “red shirt” movement, people have put politics on hold to…
Turkish military says it killed 18 Kurdish militants in Iraq and southeast
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – The Turkish military said on Friday it had killed 12 Kurdish militants in southeast Turkey and another six in air strikes in northern Iraq, while also targeting their allied fighters in northern Syria.
As Duterte embraces China, Japan’s Abe set to roll out warm welcome
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans private personal meetings with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Tokyo next week, three sources said, seeking to keep him onside with U.S.-led efforts to contain Beijing’s South China Sea…
Indonesian militant inspired by Islamic State had weapons, ammunition
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesian authorities on Friday said an Islamic State-inspired militant who injured three police officers this week on the outskirts of the capital, Jakarta, had prepared several pipe bombs and owned live ammunition and weapons.
