Centenarian Japanese prince who loved dancing and hated war laid to rest
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Emperor Akihito’s uncle, Prince Mikasa, who served in China during World War Two and criticized the war waged in his older brother’s name, was laid to rest on Friday in solemn ceremonies attended by royals, the premier and o…
Women in Afghan army overcome opposition, threats
KABUL (Reuters) – Kabul’s military training academy is churning out classes of enthusiastic women to serve in Afghanistan’s army, but the realities of rising violence and a conservative society make the future for the young recruits far from certain.
U.S. to deploy THAAD anti-missile battery in South Korea in 8-10 months: commander
SEOUL (Reuters) – The commander of U.S. forces in South Korea said on Friday a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system battery would be deployed to South Korea within eight to 10 months, an official from the U.S. forces in …
S.Korea president’s approval rating falls to 5 percent: Gallup
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea President Park Geun-hye’s approval rating has fallen to 5 percent, according to a Gallup poll released on Friday, setting an all-time low for any South Korean president and underscoring the impact of the influence-peddlin…
Refugee restaurant dishes up African fare to win Italian hearts
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – A refugee-run restaurant opening in Venice this week hopes to exploit Italians’ renowned passion for food to improve community relations, one of its founders said on Thursday, as the arrival of thousands of migrant…
Exclusive: ACT cancels test scores in Asia after leak of essay question
LONDON (Reuters) – Students in Asia have been notified that their scores on the writing section of last month’s ACT college-entrance exam are being canceled, in the latest example of how standardized test makers are struggling to contain an international epidemic of cheating.
Gambian female goalkeeper drowns in Mediterranean crossing
DAKAR (Reuters) – A young woman soccer star who had played goalkeeper for Gambia drowned last month while trying to cross from Libya to Europe, her brother said on Thursday.
Majority of Colombians back peace talks but see no deal this year: poll
BOGOTA (Reuters) – A majority of Colombians support peace talks with Marxist rebels but they also doubt that the government will be able to reach a new accord with the country’s largest guerrilla group this year, a poll showed on Thursday.
Islamic State leader says ‘no retreat’ from Mosul assault
KOKJALI/BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) – Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi told his followers on Thursday there could be no retreat in a “total war” against the forces arrayed against them, as advancing soldiers battled into their northern Iraqi stron…
Venezuela opposition gives Maduro until Nov. 11 to meet demands
CARACAS/SAN CRISTOBAL, Venezuela (Reuters) – Venezuela’s opposition exhorted President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday to set an election and start releasing jailed activists within days, while students opposed to Vatican-led talks protested in the streets….
