Kidnapped son of slain Pakistani governor reunited with family
LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) – The abducted son of a Pakistani governor who was murdered for criticizing the country’s blasphemy laws was reunited with his family on Wednesday, a day after his release and a little over a week after his father’s killer wa…
U.S. serves up Korean rocket salad in war drill response to North’s nuclear threats
CHEORWON, South Korea (Reuters) – There’s more to do in South Korea’s heavily forested Rocket Valley, just a few miles from the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, than fire rockets. In quieter times, people tend vegetable patches along ice-c…
Morocco accuses U.N.’s Ban of dropping neutral tone in West Sahara dispute
RABAT (Reuters) – Morocco’s government has accused U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of no longer being neutral in the Western Sahara conflict, saying he used the word “occupation” to describe Morocco’s presence in the region.
Pain lingers five years on as tsunami-hit Japan town rises from ruins
RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan (Reuters) – Time has done little to help Japanese volunteer fireman Eiki Kumagai with memories of March 11, 2011, when he clung to some steps as a huge black tsunami surged through his town, washing away people he knew as they crie…
Philippine president denies militants in south are linked to Islamic State
MANILA (Reuters) – President Benigno Aquino denied on Wednesday that Islamic State-linked militants are operating in the southern Philippines, describing armed groups in the area as mercenaries who are looking to raise funds from abroad.
China says takes ‘distinctly Chinese approach’ to national security
BEIJING (Reuters) – China is taking a “distinctly Chinese approach” to national security with a raft of new laws, including one on counterterrorism, the third-ranked leader said on Wednesday, offering a strong rebuttal to Western criticism.
No more smiles: Myanmar’s transition sours ahead of presidential vote
NAYPYITAW (Reuters) – A deepening rift has opened between Myanmar’s powerful military and Aung San Suu Kyi, sources say, threatening the democracy leader’s prospects for forming a successful government even as parliament prepares to nominate presidenti…
Philippines to lease planes from Japan to patrol disputed sea
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines is to lease from Japan five aircraft to help patrol the disputed South China Sea, President Benigno Aquino announced on Wednesday, as China expands its military presence in the region.
Iran plays hardball with European oil buyers, slowing exports
LONDON (Reuters) – Iran has managed to sell only modest volumes of oil to Europe since the lifting of sanctions seven weeks ago and several former buyers are staying away, citing legal complications and Tehran’s reluctance to sweeten terms to win back …
U.S. says in talks to base long-range bombers in Australia
SYDNEY/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is in talks to base long-range bombers in Australia, U.S. defense officials said, within striking distance of the disputed South China Sea, a move that could inflame tensions with China.
