France does the splits on EU economic governance
PARIS (Reuters) – France has long called for a European economic government to harmonise the bloc’s policies, but it is baulking now at that governance being applied to its own fiscal indiscipline.
Japan casino bill delayed again; resort opening could miss Olympics: sources
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s pro-casino lawmakers have given up debating a casino legalization bill this month and now aim to start discussions in early November, sources familiar with the process said on Wednesday, raising the likelihood no resort will o…
Sax and the City: Kenny G hits sour note in China with Hong Kong visit
BEIJING (Reuters) – Best-selling U.S. jazz musician Kenny G struck a bum note in China on Wednesday when he appeared among Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters, prompting the country’s foreign ministry to warn foreigners once again to keep their noses …
Japan team heading to North Korea to pressure it on abductees, PM says
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan is sending officials to reclusive North Korea to keep up pressure for an investigation into the fate of its citizens kidnapped decades ago to train spies, the prime minister said on Wednesday.
U.S. transfers Marine murder suspect to Philippine base
MANILA (Reuters) – The United States has transferred a Marine suspected of the murder of a transgender Filipino to a Philippine military base under U.S. guard, the head of the Philippine armed forces said, in line with a legal agreement between the two…
Thailand tourist murder suspects retract confessions
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Two Myanmar men accused of killing two British backpackers on a Thai holiday island have retracted their confessions, their lawyers said on Wednesday, adding further confusion to an investigation that has attracted widespread critic…
Unfinished war in Sri Lanka threatens paradise regained
JAFFNA Sri Lanka (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – In the fishing village of Oori, two mothers await news of their young daughters who were taken to a care home three months ago after their alleged rape by members of the Sri Lankan navy.
Rise in divorce in Iran linked to shift in status of women
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Weddings in Iran have long been an over-the-top affair with families spending thousands of dollars to celebrate a union. But now some couples are splurging on an entirely different sort of nuptial celebration: a divorce party.
African rivalries weaken U.N. hand against rebels in Congo
KINSHASA (Reuters) – Hundreds of Rwandan rebels in eastern Congo are defying a six month ultimatum to disarm, ratcheting up pressure on regional powers and U.N. peacekeepers to eliminate, once and for all, a force at the heart of two decades of conflic…
Special Report: Traffickers use abductions, prison ships to feed Asian slave trade
PHANG NGA Thailand (Reuters) – When Afsar Miae left his home near Teknaf in southern Bangladesh to look for work last month, he told his mother, “I’ll see you soon.” He said he expected to return that evening.
