Australia warns travelers of possible militant attacks in Indonesia
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Australia issued a warning on Thursday about possible militant attacks being planned in Indonesia, only days after a similar warning for the Malaysian capital, another sign of rising concern over militancy in Southeast Asia.
China’s Xinjiang to use entertainment, possibly singing and dancing, in terror fight
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s violence-prone far western region of Xinjiang will use entertainment to fight terrorism, holding cultural activities – which typically involve singing and dancing – to spread its law-enforcement message, state media said on …
Indian teenager escapes debt bondage, says employer burned his legs
CHENNAI, India (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Marimuthu, a south Indian teenager, had no idea the debt bondage he was pushed into last year would lead to serious burns on his legs, forcing him to escape his abusive employer and seek hospital treatment….
Indian farmers deep in debt, seek subsidies, help with insurance
MUMBAI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Indian government action to increase spending on irrigation and crop insurance is not enough to end a cycle of indebtedness that has led to thousands of farmer suicides, and a complete overhaul of credit and subsid…
Syrian refugee who charmed Rio with his snacks has eye on Olympics
RIO DE JANEIRO (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Syrian refugee Ahmad Ryad Hamada arrived in Brazil just six months ago, but his food stand has already taken Rio by storm and he is now gearing up for the Olympics.
Australia to boost defense spending by $21 billion, buy 12 new submarines
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia will increase defense spending by nearly A$30 billion ($21.57 billion) over the next 10 years, seeking to protect its interests as the United States and its allies grapple with China’s rise in the Asia-Pacific region.
Syrian opposition supports idea of two-week ceasefire
BEIRUT/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Syria’s opposition indicated on Wednesday it was ready for a two-week truce in Syria, saying it was a chance to test the seriousness of the other side’s commitment to a U.S.-Russian plan for a cessation of hostilities.
Islamic State bomb supply chain includes firms in 20 countries: report
ANKARA (Reuters) – Companies from 20 countries are involved in the supply chain of components that end up in Islamic State explosives, a study found on Thursday, suggesting governments and firms need to do more to track the flow of cables, chemicals an…
German government expects arrival of 3.6 million refugees by 2020: media
BERLIN (Reuters) – The German government expects a total influx of 3.6 million refugees by 2020, with an average of half a million people arriving each year, German media reported on Thursday, in a country that took in a record 1.1 million migrants las…
Amid transition, Myanmar’s Senior General emerges from the shadows
YANGON (Reuters) – Like many of his generation, the head of Myanmar’s powerful military is a recent but enthusiastic convert to Facebook. On his profile background picture, the commander-in-chief gives a “thumbs up” from the cockpit of an airplane. Pos…
