Thai tensions rise, economy uncertain as power struggle intensifies
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand is heading for a political showdown, with anti-government protesters aiming to sabotage an election by shutting down Bangkok next week, deepening a crisis that has divided the country and looks set to squeeze economic growt…
Iraqi air force strikes city to try to oust al Qaeda
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi government forces battling an al Qaeda offensive near the Syrian border launched an air strike on Ramadi city on Sunday killing 25 Islamist militants, according to local officials.
North Korean execution by dog story likely came from satire
SEOUL (Reuters) – An international media frenzy over reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s uncle had been executed by throwing him to a pack of dogs appears to have originated as satire on a Chinese microblogging website.
African migrants protest at embassies against Israeli detention
TEL AVIV (Reuters) – Several thousand African migrants protested outside Western embassies in Tel Aviv on Monday, demanding freedom for compatriots jailed by Israel in a desert facility under a new open-ended detention law.
Japan’s Abe wants to explain shrine visit to China, Korea
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday he wanted to meet Chinese and South Korean leaders to explain why he visited a controversial war shrine, seen by critics as a symbol of Tokyo’s wartime aggression.
Israeli ex-PM Sharon’s condition in steady decline: hospital
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The condition of Israeli former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma since a 2006 stroke, continues to decline, a hospital official said on Monday.
Rodman leaves for North Korea for basketball on leader Kim’s birthday
BEIJING (Reuters) – Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman left Beijing for North Korea on Monday with a team of retired basketball players to mark the birthday of “nice guy” North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Turkey’s Erdogan says not opposed to military coup plot retrials
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said he would not oppose the retrial of hundreds of military officers convicted on coup plot charges, a case that underlined civilian dominance over a once all-powerful army.
Afghanistan says 88 prisoners to be freed, despite U.S. concern
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan will release 88 prisoners as planned even though the United States considers them dangerous and wants them to remain in detention, the board reviewing their cases told Reuters.
Spanish officials to start talks with Panama over canal cost row
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – A Spanish government team will meet officials in Panama on Monday to try and end a cost dispute between a Spanish-led consortium expanding the Panama Canal and the waterway’s operator that threatens to stall the huge infrastruct…
