Russia’s Lavrov discusses Syria with Egypt’s foreign minister
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a phone call on Saturday with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, during which the two sides discussed the Syria crisis, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on its website.
Afghan president promises inquiry into attack near mosque
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan President Ashraf Ghani promised an investigation on Saturday into a mortar attack by government troops a day earlier that killed at least eight civilians and wounded two others near a mosque in a district south of Kabul.
South Korea activists protest labor policies, call for Park’s apology
SEOUL (Reuters) – Anti-government protesters marched through downtown Seoul on Saturday, demanding South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s apology for cracking down on a protest last month when farm and labor activists clashed with police.
Malaysia arrests five with suspected IS, al-Qaeda links
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia’s police said on Saturday that it had arrested five people, including a European employed as a teacher, on suspicion of links with militant groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaeda.
Malaysia’s anti-graft agency questions Najib over multi-million dollar deposits
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian anti-corruption officials questioned Prime Minister Najib Razak on Saturday in an investigation into deposits of funds totaling 2.6 billion ringgit ($615.53 million) into his bank accounts that have prompted calls for…
Six injured in bomb attack on a Hindu gathering in Bangladesh
DHAKA (Reuters) – At least six people were injured, with three in a critical condition, after a series of bomb blasts on Saturday at a Hindu religious gathering in northern Bangladesh, a police official said.
Thais celebrate king’s birthday amid widening royal insult probe
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thais marked the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, early on Saturday, by giving alms at temples around the country.
Former government official facing corruption charges returns to China
BEIJING (Reuters) – A former Chinese government official facing corruption charges who had fled to the United States has given herself up and returned to China, the ruling Communist Party’s anti-corruption watchdog said on Saturday.
U.N. council to meet next week on human rights in North Korea: U.S.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations Security Council will meet next week on human rights in North Korea, which has been accused by a U.N. inquiry of abuses comparable to Nazi-era atrocities, the United States said on Friday.
Exclusive: U.S. puts request for bigger Turkish air role on hold
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Since Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet last week, the United States has quietly put on hold a long-standing request for its NATO ally to play a more active role in the U.S.-led air war against Islamic State.
