Turkish boy arrested for insulting Erdogan is freed pending trial: media
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A Turkish high school student arrested on charges of insulting President Tayyip Erdogan was released on Friday pending trial but could still face up to four years in prison if convicted, local media reported.
Myanmar’s Suu Kyi says wants West to spur reform not reimpose sanctions
LONDON (Reuters) – Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday called on the West to encourage her country’s government to enter meaningful reform talks but told it not to reintroduce punitive sanctions even though democratic reforms were fo…
Chinese leadership offers support for Hong Kong leader
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s central government fully approves of the leadership of Hong Kong’s chief executive Leung Chun-ying and the work of the territory’s government which has shown itself “unafraid of challenges”, Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday…
Syrian air force kills 45 civilians in stepped-up raids: monitor
AMMAN (Reuters) – At least 45 civilians were killed and some 175 wounded when aircraft bombed a northern Syrian city controlled by Islamic State, as Bashar al-Assad’s government stepped up air raids, residents and a monitoring group said on Friday.
Deputy head of China business regulator investigated for graft
BEIJING (Reuters) – The deputy head of one of China’s business regulators, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, is under investigation for suspected corruption, state media said on Friday.
Japan says close to deal with South Korea and U.S. on North Korea defense
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan, the United States and South Korea are close to reaching a deal on sharing and safeguarding sensitive information on North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, Japan’s Defence Ministry said on Friday.
South Korea extends cyberattack emergency system for nuclear plants
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s nuclear operator and the energy ministry will keep emergency teams on stand-by to the end of this year in case of any cyberattacks on nuclear plants as threatened by a hacker.
New Zealand bar manager pleads not guilty to insulting Buddhism in Myanmar
YANGON (Reuters) – A New Zealand bar manager on Friday pleaded not guilty in a Myanmar court to charges of insulting religion after publishing a psychedelic image of Buddha wearing headphones to promote his bar in Yangon.
India seeks help from Bhutan, Myanmar to hunt down militants
GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) – India has sought cooperation from Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh in an offensive against a tribal militant group that had shot dead at least 80 people in Assam state this week, officials said on Friday.
Sony’s ‘Interview’ draws U.S. moviegoers who trumpet free speech
NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – “The Interview,” the Sony Pictures film about a fictional plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, opened in more than 300 movie theaters across the United States on Christmas Day, drawing many sell-out audi…
