Hardline Buddhists in Myanmar, Sri Lanka strike anti-Islamist pact
COLOMBO (Reuters) – A Myanmar monk accused of inciting violence against Muslims and a hardline Buddhist group in Sri Lanka said on Tuesday they would work together to rally other Buddhist groups and defend their faith against militant Islamists.
Iranian man executed for heresy: rights group
DUBAI (Reuters) – A former psychologist has been executed for heresy in Iran after eight years in detention, human rights groups said, in the latest example of what activists say is a worrying rise in the use of death penalty by the Islamic Republic.
Sri Lanka police stop online media workshop: rights groups
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Sri Lanka media rights groups said on Tuesday police had stopped an online journalists’ association from holding a workshop on ethics and digital security at the weekend, the fourth disruption of media gatherings since May.
Bulgaria needs urgent reforms after Sunday election: interim PM
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria needs a strong government after Sunday’s parliamentary election that will pursue radical reforms aimed at dragging the country out of its “post-communist swamp”, its caretaker prime minister said on Tuesday.
U.S. signs pact to keep troops in Afghanistan past 2014
KABUL (Reuters) – Officials from Afghanistan and the United States on Tuesday signed a long-delayed security agreement to allow American troops to stay in the country after the end of the year, filling a campaign promise by new President Ashraf Ghani.
Egypt’s Sisi delivers economic reforms but hurdles remain
CAIRO (Reuters) – In his first 100 days in office, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has made a fast start on economic reform: slashing costly fuel subsidies, raising taxes and devising infrastructure projects to secure long-term revenues and eas…
Indian temple ‘purified’ after low-caste chief minister visits
PATNA India (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The government in India’s northern state of Bihar has ordered an investigation after reports that a Hindu temple was cleaned and its idols washed after a visit by the state’s chief minister, who belongs to a l…
Northern Afghans threaten to rebel if power-sharing deal fails
PANJSHIR Afghanistan (Reuters) – Afghans in a strategically important province north of the capital have threatened to rebel if the country’s new president does not respect an agreement to share power with their chosen leader, Abdullah Abdullah.
China announces date for key Communist Party meeting
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s ruling Communist Party will hold a key meeting from Oct. 20 focusing on the rule of law, state media reported on Tuesday, as part of President Xi Jinping’s two-year long an anti-corruption drive.
North Korea proposes Japan abduction talks in Pyongyang
TOKYO (Reuters) – North Korea has told Japan it would not pass on findings from an investigation into the fate of Japanese people abducted by North Koran agents and proposed that Japan sends representatives for talks, Japan’s prime minister said on Tue…
