Thai court sentences five to death in war-torn south
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A Thai court sentenced to death five suspected Muslim separatists convicted of killing four soldiers, prompting Human Rights Watch to accuse the government of applying “double standards” in the turbulent south.
Greece paralyzed by major strike, flights canceled
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek labor unions staged a 24-hour strike on Thursday that canceled hundreds of flights, shut public offices and severely disrupted local transport, in the first major industrial action to cripple the austerity-weary country in mont…
Yemen rescuers sought U.S., British hostages in raid
SANAA (Reuters) – An American, a Briton and a South African were among several hostages Yemeni forces sought to free from al Qaeda this week, the defense ministry said on its website, describing a raid that a U.S. defense official said also involved U….
Suicide bomber hits foreign convoy in Afghan capital, casualties unclear
KABUL (Reuters) – A suicide bomber on a motorcycle attacked a convoy of foreign troops in the east of the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Thursday, police and a government official said, but there was no immediate indication of the extent of any casualties.
West struggles with Russia’s ‘ambiguous warfare’ tactics
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – When Russians crossed the border to fight with rebels in eastern Ukraine earlier this year, Moscow said the soldiers had not been deployed but had gone on their own vacation time.
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…
