Thai junta’s intimidation of academics reveals insecurity: rights group
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s junta is intensifying intimidation of academics who criticize the generals efforts to stay in power by sending army officers to their homes, a Thai rights group said on Wednesday.
U.S. warns China on militarization of South China Sea
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Tuesday warned China against “aggressive” actions in the South China Sea region, including the placement of surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island.
One Chinese worker killed in Laos ‘militant’ attack: Xinhua
BEIJING (Reuters) – One Chinese national was killed and three wounded in a “militant” attack in Laos, state media said on Wednesday, in what was at least the second confirmed attack in the country involving Chinese workers this year.
Two Palestinian teens shot dead after attacking Israeli in West Bank
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli soldiers shot dead two Palestinian teens who had attacked an Israeli settler at his home in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, the military said, as a wave of heightened violence entered its sixth month.
U.S. turns to Broadway to promote gay rights at United Nations
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The United States turned to cultural diplomacy on Tuesday to push gay rights at the United Nations by taking 15 U.N. ambassadors, including those from Russia, Gabon and Namibia, to see an award-winning lesbian musical on Broadway.
Most nations in Americas have laws that can suppress journalism: report
NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – All but one nation in the Americas have criminal defamation laws that can be used against journalists to suppress freedom of expression, according to a report released on Wednesday.
Hunger soars in CAR as nearly 2.5 million face food shortages
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Half the population in Central African Republic are going hungry every day, double the number a year ago, U.N. officials said as they called for help to prevent the “dire” food situation deteriorating further.
Australia softens sanctions against Iran
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia followed major world powers by lifting sanctions on Iran on Wednesday, after confirmation from the United Nations that Tehran had taken steps required to curb its disputed nuclear program.
Five murdered youth in Mexico confused for cartel members
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Five young Mexicans killed last month by gang members with ties to local police were murdered after being mistaken for a rival cartel, a top security official said Tuesday, another possible case of corrupt law enforcement in lea…
Catholic Church abuse victims call for meeting with Pope
ROME/SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic Church clergy on Tuesday called for a meeting with Pope Francis after watching a high-ranking Vatican official testify that senior clergy lied to him to cover up abuse in the …
