Syrian rebel groups sending children into war: HRW
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Militant Islamist groups in Syria are recruiting children as young as 15 and sending them into battle after promising them a free education, a Human Rights Watch report said on Monday.
Chinese official sacked for flood piggyback
BEIJING (Reuters) – An official in eastern China has been sacked after a picture of him being given a piggyback across a flooded path during a search for missing children went viral online, sparking outrage.
Wear white to protest Singapore pink gay rally, religious groups say
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Some Christians have joined Muslims in Singapore urging followers to wear white this weekend in protest at the sixth annual “Pink Dot” gay rights rally, which attracted a record 21,000 people last year.
South Korea protests to Japan envoy over ‘comfort women’ apology review
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea summoned Japan’s envoy on Monday to protest against Tokyo’s review of a landmark 1993 apology to women, many Korean, forced to work as wartime sex slaves in Japanese military brothels, urging it to stop trying to whitewash…
Rogue South Korea soldier shoots himself, ending long stand-off
SEOUL (Reuters) – A stand-off between South Korean troops and a conscript soldier who killed five comrades ended on Monday when the young recruit shot himself in an incident that has raised fresh questions over the country’s rules on compulsory militar…
Thai junta gets tough on World Cup gambling
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s military leaders are cracking down on illegal gambling, which is forecast to soar during the World Cup, as part of a campaign to clean up the country and restore its image.
Yemeni intelligence officer killed by suspected al-Qaeda gunmen
ADEN (Reuters) – Suspected Al Qaeda militants shot dead a Yemeni intelligence officer in the southern city of Mukalla on Monday, a security official told Reuters.
Philippines holds second senator, ex-leader’s son, for corruption
MANILA (Reuters) – A second senator, the son of a former president ousted in 2001 on corruption charges, turned himself in to authorities on Monday after an anti-graft court ordered his arrest for the misuse of congressional funds.
Iran rejects U.S. action in Iraq, ISIL tightens Syria border grip
ANBAR Iraq (Reuters) – Iran’s supreme leader accused the United States on Sunday of trying to retake control of Iraq by exploiting sectarian rivalries, as Sunni insurgents drove towards Baghdad from new strongholds along the Syrian border.
Bangladesh sentences eight Islamists to death over 2001 attacks
DHAKA (Reuters) – A Bangladeshi court sentenced to death eight members of an outlawed Islamist militant group in connection with a series of bomb attacks 13 years ago that killed 10 people, lawyers said on Monday.
