Gunmen kidnap 12 minority Hazaras in east Afghanistan
KABUL (Reuters) – Unknown gunmen kidnapped 12 ethnic minority Hazaras from a car in east Afghanistan, days after suspected Taliban fighters kidnapped and killed four Hazaras in the same province, officials said on Wednesday.
Families of South Africa’s ‘Marikana Massacre’ victims file civil suit
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Families of 37 of the South African miners killed during a 2012 wildcat strike at a mine run by platinum producer Lonmin have filed civil claims against the minister of police, a support group said.
Migrants rescued by Italy say up to 50 missing after boat sinks
ROME (Reuters) – Up to 50 migrants went missing after a large rubber dinghy sank in the Mediterranean Sea, Italian rescuers said on Wednesday, while more than 1,500 were picked up from other vessels in the past 24 hours.
Rebel rockets hit Damascus ahead of visit by Iranian minister
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Rebels fired dozens of rockets at central Damascus on Wednesday, a monitor and state media said, ahead of an expected visit to the Syrian capital by Iran’s foreign minister.
Bic apologizes for sexist advert on South Africa’s women’s day
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Pen manufacturer Bic has apologized for a post on its South African Facebook page on Women’s Day that has been heavily criticized for being sexist.
Malaysia opposition party files suit against PM, state fund 1MDB
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – A Malaysian opposition party on Wednesday filed a civil suit against Prime Minister Najib Razak and indebted state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), saying they had violated electoral rules and a new election should be …
Myanmar evacuates thousands as worst floods in decades hit
YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar was evacuating parts of a city on Wednesday after mudslides wiped away hundreds of houses and torrential rain threatened further damage in the worst floods to hit the country in decades.
Indonesian President Widodo replaces key economic ministers
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesian president Joko Widodo replaced key economic ministers as part of a wider cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, less than a year after taking office.
To avoid losses, Syrian army retreats in key region: army source
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Syrian military source said on Tuesday the army had retreated to new defensive lines in a region of vital strategic importance to President Bashar al-Assad, seeking to avoid losses at the hands of advancing rebels.
Ghosts of WW2 haunt East Asia as Abe readies anniversary statement
TOKYO (Reuters) – Seventy years after Japan’s defeat in World War Two, the conflict’s legacy haunts East Asia and reconciliation remains elusive.
