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…
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.
