Over 200,000 vote as Hong Kong democracy ‘referendum’ kicks off
HONG KONG (Reuters) – More than 200,000 people voted for full democracy in Hong Kong within the first few hours of an unofficial online referendum on Friday in a civil campaign that has sparked warnings from China’s Communist Party leaders.
South African “honeymoon murder” trial set for Oct. 6
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – A South African court on Friday set Oct. 6 as the start date for the trial of British businessman Shrien Dewani, who is accused of planning the murder of his bride in a staged car-jacking while on honeymoon in Cape Town in 2010.
China launches campaign to cleanse web of terror content
BEIJING (Reuters) – China began a campaign on Friday to purge the Internet of content it says promotes terror and violence, enlisting the aid of major websites, state media said, as the country moves to damp violence in its restive far west.
U.S denies any agreement allowing Sri Lanka to import Iran crude via third parties
COLOMBO (Reuters) – The United States denied on Friday that it had any agreement with Sri Lanka to allow Colombo to import Iranian crude oil through third parties, avoiding Western sanctions aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program.
Japan says had South Korean input on ‘comfort women’ apology
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan got input from South Korea on the sensitive wording of a landmark apology in 1993 to women, many Korean, who worked in Japan’s wartime military brothels, an expert panel said after reviewing evidence that led to the statement.
Outrage in Japan as woman lawmaker jeered for being single, childless
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese officials on Friday condemned the heckling of a woman member of Tokyo’s city assembly, during a debate on support for working mothers, by male members who ridiculed her and called on her to get married.
More than 50 million displaced worldwide, U.N. says
GENEVA (Reuters) – More than 50 million people were forcibly uprooted worldwide at the end of last year, the highest level since after World War Two, as people fled crises from Syria to South Sudan, the U.N. refugee agency said on Friday.
Stalled measles campaign shows health challenge in rebel-held Syria
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A measles vaccination program in northern Syria has stalled amid disagreement over who should coordinate it, highlighting the challenges of establishing basic healthcare services in opposition-held parts of the country.
Obama sends U.S. military advisers to Iraq as battle rages over refinery
WASHINGTON/TIKRIT Iraq (Reuters) – President Barack Obama said on Thursday he was sending up to 300 U.S. military advisers to Iraq but stressed the need for a political solution to the Iraqi crisis as government forces battled Sunni rebels for control …
Danish government says hostage held in Syria freed
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – A Danish freelance photographer has been freed after being held hostage in Syria for 13 months, Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
