Hong Kong lawyers to march in defense of rule of law
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hundreds of Hong Kong lawyers are expected to stage a silent march on Friday in protest against Beijing’s policy towards the judiciary, in a sign of growing concern about the rule of law in the former British colony.
Frugality bites as China curbs construction of government buildings
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China plans to curb construction of unapproved government buildings, amid a national campaign against wasteful spending and graft, according to an updated draft regulation published by the State Council, the country’s cabinet.
Jokowi holds on to lead ahead of Indonesia presidential vote: poll
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is holding on to his strong lead in the race to become Indonesia’s next president though it is narrowing ahead of the July 9 vote, a new opinion poll showed on Friday.
China looks to gain by joining big U.S.-led Pacific naval drills
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A giant U.S.-led naval exercise began off Hawaii on Thursday with China joining its Asia-Pacific rivals for the first time, but analysts doubted the drills would ease tensions over Chinese maritime claims and some said Beijing co…
Iraq helicopter crashes in airborne commando assault on Tikrit
BAGHDAD/ARBIL (Reuters) – Iraqi forces launched an airborne assault on rebel-held Tikrit on Thursday with commandos flown into a stadium in helicopters, at least one of which crashed after taking fire from insurgents who have seized northern cities.
Malaysia jet passengers likely suffocated, Australia says
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The passengers and crew of the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 most likely died from suffocation and coasted lifelessly into the ocean on autopilot, a new report released by Australian officials on Thursday said.
Ukrainian rebels free four OSCE hostages, four still in captivity
DONETSK Ukraine (Reuters) – Rebels in southeast Ukraine early on Friday released four out of eight international observers, captured over a month ago, in an apparent goodwill gesture that could help pave the way to a resolution of the conflict that has…
Iraq helicopter crashes in airborne commando assault on Tikrit
BAGHDAD/ARBIL (Reuters) – Iraqi forces launched an airborne assault on rebel-held Tikrit on Thursday with commandos flown into a stadium in helicopters, at least one of which crashed after taking fire from insurgents who have seized northern cities.
Ukraine warns on ceasefire as rebels agree to fresh peace talks
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian separatists agreed on Thursday to resume peace talks to end the conflict in the east, but President Petro Poroshenko warned he might not extend a ceasefire beyond Friday night if their gesture was aimed only at buying time.
Living in ‘total fear’ of Boko Haram in Cameroon’s north
AMCHIDE Cameroon (Reuters) – An iron bar balanced between two metal poles is the only barrier between Cameroon and Nigeria in this dusty corner of the Sahel.
