China stops prominent rights lawyer from meeting German minister
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese police blocked a prominent human rights lawyer from meeting Germany’s deputy chancellor, the lawyer said on Wednesday, in the latest example of curbs on government critics in China.
Satellites show North Korea nuclear test unlikely: think tank
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea is unlikely to be ready to stage a nuclear test timed to coincide with U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to Asia, a respected think tank said on Wednesday based on its assessment of satellite imagery.
Pirates raid Japanese oil tanker off Malaysia, kidnap three crew
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Armed pirates raided a Japanese oil tanker off the coast of Malaysia and abducted three crew members, Malaysian maritime police said on Wednesday, underscoring increasing threats to shipping in one of the world’s busiest waterw…
Colombia tribunal restores ousted Bogota mayor
BOGOTA (Reuters) – A Colombian tribunal on Tuesday ordered that Gustavo Petro be restored as mayor of Bogota, just weeks after he was officially ousted from the post over mismanagement.
Rwandan president says he is not ready to rule out third term
BOSTON (Reuters) – Rwandan President Paul Kagame said on Tuesday it was too early to say whether he will seek a third term as head of the east African state, adding “whatever will happen, we’ll have an explanation.”
Ukraine president calls for new anti-rebel offensive as crisis deal falters
KIEV/MOSCOW (Reuters) – Ukraine’s acting president Oleksander Turchinov called on Tuesday for government forces to relaunch an offensive against pro-Russian rebels after a local politician from his own party was found dead with signs of torture.
Obama says disputed islands within scope of U.S.-Japan security treaty
TOKYO (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama said that islands at the center of a territorial dispute between Japan and China fall within the scope of the U.S.-Japan security treaty, the Yomiuri Shimbun daily said on Wednesday.
El Salvador church leaders call for new gang truce
SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) – Church leaders in El Salvador on Tuesday said they want to revive a fragile truce between the country’s powerful street gangs in order to curb a resurgence of violent crime.
Scottish leader says independence could benefit northern England
LONDON (Reuters) – An independent Scotland would work closely with northern England to boost its economy and job opportunities, Scottish leader Alex Salmond will say on Wednesday in a bid to allay concerns south of the border about Scotland quitting th…
Iran denies role in Bahrain unrest, urges respect for human rights
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran denied any role in the violent unrest affecting neighboring Bahrain, accusing Manama of looking for a scapegoat to justify its human rights abuses.
