Islamic law debate puts more pressure on Malaysia PM
KOTA BHARU, Malaysia (Reuters) – Feuding over an Islamic penal code that stipulates stoning for adultery and amputation for theft has put a spotlight on Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s struggle to secure the majority Muslim vote and fend off att…
Panic on Med migrant boat pitched hundreds to their deaths: IOM
GENEVA (Reuters) – Hundreds of people desperate to be rescued from a packed migrant boat in the Mediterranean pushed to one side when they saw a ship approach, capsizing the craft and pitching everyone into the sea where hundreds died, an official said…
OPEC diplomacy up from Moscow to Caracas; action unlikely
MOSCOW/CARACAS (Reuters) – Quiet diplomacy among the world’s biggest oil producers has heated up this week, yet observers see few signs that renewed discussion among Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and others will lead to action on output.
One year on, Thailand’s testy coup leader battles dictator label
BANGKOK (Reuters) – The last two times Thailand’s army grabbed control, in 2006 and 2014, fortune teller Warin Buawiratlert called it, informing the would-be junta ahead of time that they were destined for power.
U.N. chief voices concerns about pre-election violence in Burundi
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced concerns about violence in the run-up to Burundi’s presidential election and urged the government to ensure the vote is free and fair, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
Colombia to resume bombing rebels after deadly ambush
BOGOTA/HAVANA (Reuters) – Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos ordered the resumption of bombing raids against FARC guerrillas on Wednesday after a rebel attack killed 10 soldiers, heating up a war that had seen a tentative cessation of hostilities….
Mediterranean migrant smugglers ‘violent and audacious’: agencies
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Many migrants who survive the perilous sea crossing to Europe from North Africa are physically and sexually abused by the smugglers who organize their journey, according to testimony gathered by aid workers in Ital…
Iraq says Islamic State still fierce; eyes Baiji, Anbar fights
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Iraq’s prime minister said on Wednesday that the Islamic State remains a fierce adversary as he outlined plans during a trip to Washington to prioritize battles in the refinery city of Baiji and Anbar province, where the militant…
Italy PM Renzi faces party revolt over electoral law
ROME (Reuters) – A senior parliamentary figure in Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s ruling center-left Democratic Party (PD) resigned on Wednesday in protest over his proposed new electoral law, underlining unrest among government backbenchers.
Japan jets scramble at Cold-War levels as Chinese and Russian incursions increase
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s air force said on Wednesday jet fighter scrambles had reached a level not seen since the height of the Cold War three decades ago as Russian bombers probe its northern skies and Chinese combat aircraft intrude into its souther…
