Philippines to file cases against 90 rebels over commandos’ deaths
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines will file criminal cases against 90 Muslim rebels for the death of 35 police commandos during a deadly January clash in the south, the justice minister said on Thursday, to assuage a public outcry for justice.
Austrian president ‘likely’ to visit Iran this year
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austrian President Heinz Fischer will probably visit Iran this year and may take a business delegation along should Tehran clinch a definitive deal with world powers over its nuclear policy, he told a newspaper.
Ex-leader Gul says Turkey needs stronger parliament, not presidency
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey needs a better parliamentary system, not a more powerful presidency, former President Abdullah Gul said, in clear disagreement with his successor’s drive to change the constitution and give the head of state executive powers…
Angry and divided, South Korea mourns on anniversary of ferry disaster
ANSAN, South Korea (Reuters) – A day of mourning for the 304 victims of the Sewol ferry sinking was overtaken by acrimony on Thursday, as organizers called off a ceremony planned to mark its one-year anniversary to protest against the South Korean gove…
EU resumes budget support to Tanzania, releases aid funding
DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) – The European Union has released 53.26 million euros ($56.7 million) in aid to Tanzania as part of a budget support package that had been suspended over corruption allegations in the east African nation.
Japan jets scramble at Cold-War levels as Chinese and Russian incursions increase
(This April 15 story has been corrected to change number of scrambles to 943 from 944 in year through March 31)
Pakistani court blocks execution of those convicted by military courts
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the suspension of death sentences passed by military courts set up this year after a spike in militant violence but which have raised concern about fairness and the extent of military p…
Guam officials at odds over gay marriage
HAGATNA, Guam (Reuters) – The tiny U.S. Pacific territory of Guam moved a step closer to recognizing gay marriage on Wednesday as its attorney general directed the island’s public health officials to begin accepting marriage license applications from s…
Largest Muslim group asks Indonesia to broker talks on Yemen
JAKARTA (Reuters) – The world’s largest Muslim organization urged Indonesia to broker talks on Yemen at an Asia-Africa leaders conference next week, hoping for a breakthrough to end fighting between Iran-allied Houthi rebels and a Saudi-led coalition.
Election strains Finland’s diplomatic balancing act with Russia
HELSINKI (Reuters) – From closer NATO ties to rumors of Kremlin-backed land deals on its border, Finland’s diplomatic balancing act with Russia has come under the spotlight before Sunday’s parliamentary election as politicians debate how far to challen…
