Iraq asks United States for air support to counter rebels
BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Iraq has asked the United States for air support in countering Sunni rebels, the top U.S. general said on Wednesday, after the militants seized major cities in a lightning advance that has routed the Shi’ite-led governmen…
Japan’s ‘Patriotic Wives’: praise for Abe, censure for China, South Korea
TOKYO (Reuters) – One by one, women take the microphone near a crowded crossing in a popular Tokyo shopping district on a hot and humid weekday, denouncing Japan’s pacifist constitution, blasting China’s “recklessness” and mocking the South Korean flag…
Hong Kong’s democracy ‘referendum’ likely to rile China’s communists
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong holds a controversial “referendum” on democracy on Friday, a prelude to an escalating campaign of dissent that could shut down the former British colony’s financial district and further anger China’s Communist Party lead…
Police break up anti-FIFA protest in Porto Alegre
PORTO ALEGRE Brazil (Reuters) – Police fired stun grenades and tear gas in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre on Wednesday to disperse protesters demonstrating against the World Cup. The 150 protesters, who marched in the city centre as the World Cup Group B match between Australia and the Netherlands kicked off, were met by a force of several hundred police, Reuters witnesses said.
As Myanmar’s Rakhine Buddhists gain strength, so does anti-Muslim apartheid
KYAUKPYU Myanmar (Reuters) – A campaign to isolate Muslims living under apartheid-like conditions is gathering steam in western Myanmar, driven by Buddhist activists emboldened by the country’s transition from military rule.
UKIP snags lone French defector to form EU political group
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Britain’s UK Independence Party succeeded on Wednesday in forming a European Parliament grouping with other euro-sceptic parties, giving it access to more money, staff and speaking time.
Freed Bahraini activist urges government to seek reconciliation
GENEVA (Reuters) – One of the Arab world’s best-known human rights activists urged his native Bahrain on Wednesday to look beyond the Sunni-Shi’ite divide to end a political stand-off in the U.S.-allied kingdom.
Governor resigns in Mexican state ravaged by drug violence
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – The governor of the western Mexican state of Michoacan resigned on Wednesday, citing poor health, as the government struggles to improve security amid a continuing battle between vigilantes and drug traffickers.
Libyan election to go ahead next week despite political chaos
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya’s second national election since the 2011 ouster of strongman Muammar Gaddafi will go ahead next week despite growing political chaos, organizational troubles and the prospect of a low turnout.
At least 28 bodies found at a ranch in eastern Mexico
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican authorities said on Wednesday they had found the remains of at least 28 people in a mass grave at a ranch in the eastern state of Veracruz, which has been wracked by violence between feuding drug gangs.
