Thai army warns protesters against weekend march
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s army on Friday warned a group planning a weekend protest against military rule that lawbreakers would face action, as open defiance of the ruling junta appears to be growing in the Southeast Asian nation.
Singapore court orders asset freeze on ‘Freeport King’
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – A Singapore court has ordered a freeze on the assets of a Swiss businessman who operates high-security warehouses and who has been sued by two companies linked to a Russian billionaire for manipulating prices of art and failing to…
Chinese tour groups to Hong Kong slide amid protests
HONG KONG (Reuters) – The number of mainland Chinese tour groups visiting Hong Kong plunged about 80 percent in early March as rising anti-mainland sentiment and a series of protests deterred many from crossing the border, underscoring a deepening divi…
Sinking under debt, Kansai airport privatization presents test for Abe
TOKYO (Reuters) – After building an artificial island off Osaka to host a gleaming, new airport in 1994, officials discovered it was sinking into the sea.
At least 12 people killed in fire in Russia’s Kazan: Interfax news agency
MOSCOW (Reuters) – At least 12 people have died after a shopping center caught fire in the Russian city of Kazan, Interfax news agency cited the head of the regional emergencies ministry as saying on Friday.
Philippines police report finds fault at highest level in bungled mission
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino approved a bungled secret mission against Islamist rebels that led to the deaths of 44 police commandos, an official report released on Friday said, piling more pressure on the beleaguered leader.
Displaced Pakistanis to start going home to North Waziristan
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan will on Sunday start returning the first batches of nearly a million civilians ordered to leave their homes ahead of an anti-Taliban offensive in North Waziristan on the Afghanistan border, officials told Reuters on Frida…
Hungary says solution near on nuclear fuel dispute with EU
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary is nearing a deal with the European Union’s nuclear energy agency Euratom about details of a Hungarian-Russian deal to expand its Paks nuclear power plant after Euratom questioned elements of the deal, a top government offi…
Indonesia says 32 held or missing in Turkey, suspected trying to join Islamic State
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesian officials confirmed on Friday that up to 32 Indonesians had been detained in Turkey or gone missing after being suspected of trying to cross into Syria to join Islamic State (IS) militants.
Taiwan’s new political voices want more openness on China ties
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan is spinning away from China’s idealized model of “one country, two systems” as a renewed spirit of democracy sweeps across its political sphere, rousing a new cadre of grassroots leaders critical of a shared future with China….
