Malaysia to retain and prop up Sedition Act, says PM
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Thursday bolstered a law protecting the sanctity of Islam and the country’s traditional rulers, the sultans, in an about-turn to scrap a law banning criticism of the government.
Puerto Rico threatened with transit shutdown in political spat
Puerto Rico’s public transit system will shut down on Monday if lawmakers do not increase a tax on oil, the U.S. commonwealth’s Government Development Bank said, accusing politicians of taking an “irresponsible” gamble on the island’s economy.
Thai election pushed back to 2016: deputy PM
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A Thai general election planned for next year will be delayed until 2016, a deputy prime minister said on Thursday, pushing back the promised return to democracy.
Beijing subway, bus fares to go up: state media
BEIJING (Reuters) – Beijing will raise subway and bus fares in December as part of a drive to reduce price subsidies and curb congestion on the public transport system in the Chinese capital, state media said on Thursday, sparking anger among the publi…
Exclusive – Japan eyes military aid to spur defense exports, build security ties: sources
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan is considering creating a government-backed financing arm for weapons exports, a move that would accelerate Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s shift away from the country’s pacifist past and strengthen Tokyo’s regional security ties as…
Young sister of North Korean leader takes senior party post: KCNA
SEOUL (Reuters) – The younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has assumed a senior position in the ruling Workers’ Party, state media reported on Thursday, consolidating a third generation of Kim family rule in the secretive state.
Exclusive: Poor and besieged, Myanmar’s Rakhine join Rohingya exodus
MAUNGDAW, Myanmar (Reuters) – For years, tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslim boat people have fled this remote corner of western Myanmar for nearby countries. But another huge exodus has grabbed far fewer headlines.
Taiwan vote tests waters for pro-China government ahead of presidential polls
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan goes to the polls on Saturday to choose city mayors and local councillors in a vote that will show how much support the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) has lost with its pro-China stance less than two years before a presidential elect…
Special Report: How China’s shadowy agency is working to absorb Taiwan
TAIPEI/HONG KONG (Reuters) – Ever since a civil war split the two sides more than 60 years ago, China has viewed Taiwan as a renegade province that needs to be absorbed into the mainland. To that end, the legion of Taiwanese businessmen working in Chin…
British lawmakers urge EU to stop Sri Lanka trade perks if UN probe not given access
LONDON (Reuters) – Leading British lawmakers urged the European Union on Thursday to remove preferential trade tariffs from Sri Lanka if it fails to address human rights concerns.
