After crackdown on students, Myanmar’s will to reform questioned
YANGON (Reuters) – A student march through central Myanmar in protest against a new education law began as an unremarkable procession from the country’s seat of learning and culture, Mandalay, to the commercial hub of Yangon.
China’s top judge reproaches courts for miscarriages of justice
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s top judge on Thursday issued a mea culpa for miscarriages of justice that have drawn public ire, calling for increased transparency of the courts in an annual report to the largely rubber-stamp parliament.
China to ‘refresh’ policy on visitors to Hong Kong
BEIJING (Reuters) – The Chinese government will “refresh” its policy on granting entry permits to its citizens wishing to visit the separately administered territory of Hong Kong, a state-run paper said on Thursday, amid mounting anger at hordes of mai…
Cambodia and big brands fail to tackle garment worker abuse: researchers
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Cambodian garment workers making clothing for international retailers are frequently abused and exploited at work and neither the government nor major brands are doing to enough to protect them, researchers said on…
U.S. may be unable to defend its Syria recruits against Assad
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States does not appear to have clear-cut legal authority to protect Syrian rebels it trains from attack by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, even under new war powers, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter …
Top diplomats set to meet to discuss China, South Korea, Japan summit
SEOUL (Reuters) – The foreign ministers of South Korea, Japan and China are preparing to meet this month for their first talks in nearly three years in a bid to resolve tensions over Japan’s wartime past and discuss a trilateral summit.
Canadian PM’s comments on Muslim veil set off Twitter flurry
VANCOUVER (Reuters) – Twitter users turned to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for tongue-in-cheek fashion advice on Wednesday, the day after he said the niqab, a face covering veil worn by some Muslims, was rooted in an “anti-women” culture.
Islamic State ransacks Assyrian capital as Iraq appeals for help
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Islamic State militants have desecrated another ancient Iraqi capital, the government said on Wednesday, razing parts of the 2,700-year-old city of Khorsabad famed for its colossal statues of human-headed winged bulls.
Mafia thrives on Italy’s legalized gambling addiction
ROME (Reuters) – Legalizing gambling in Italy was supposed to help curb the mafia. Unfortunately, prosecutors say, it has only created new opportunities for the mob.
IMF seeks ‘immediate’ stabilization in latest Ukraine bailout
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The International Monetary Fund has agreed to pump $10 billion into Ukraine’s troubled economy over the next year, providing swift assistance for the country’s struggling finances as part of a larger four-year bailout.
