Japan’s defense plans focus on China and islands dispute
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan will set up a new amphibious military unit and deploy unarmed surveillance drones in its southwest, where it faces a row with China over disputed islands, according to drafts of the nation’s latest defense plans seen on Wednesda…
Bangladesh’s top court adjourns Islamist’s death penalty hearing
DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has adjourned until Thursday a hearing to decide if an Islamist opposition leader can appeal against his death penalty, in a case that has heightened political tension less than a month before elections are …
Iran commander suggests foreign min stay out of military affairs-report
DUBAI (Reuters) – The commander of Iran’s elite revolutionary guards force, Mohammad Jafari, has suggested the nation’s foreign minister stay out of military affairs in a growing debate over comments by the minister that indicated Iran was weak.
Palestinians see worrisome trend in ‘honor’ killings rise
AQQABA, West Bank (Reuters) – A silvery green olive grove set in the red soil of a Palestinian village is a crime scene – testament to a practice so sensitive that it is spoken of only in whispers.
Suicide bomber attacks German troops near airport in Afghan capital
KABUL (Reuters) – A suicide bomber attacked a convoy of German troops near the international airport in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Wednesday, a military official said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.
Unpaid Thai rice farmers may protest, adding to PM’s woes
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai farmers who have not been paid by the state for rice bought under an intervention scheme are threatening to block roads in 26 provinces, adding to the problems of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who called a snap election t…
China professor says sacked for criticizing president and not recanting
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – A Chinese university has fired a professor for failing to admit wrongdoing in posting an article criticizing President Xi Jinping, the academic said on Wednesday, underscoring questions about academic freedoms for foreign colleges …
China cuts more red tape, paves way for NDRC slim-down
BEIJING (Reuters) – China has stripped dozens of powers away from central government ministries as it bids to cut red tape and prevent Beijing’s army of bureaucrats from micromanaging the world’s second-largest economy.
Ukrainian police take back part of square from protesters
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian riot police moved in force early on Wednesday into part of the Kiev square where protesters are demonstrating against a government decision to rebuild trade ties with Russia rather than move closer to the European Union.
Mexican Senate prepares to vote on historic energy bill
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s Senate on Tuesday debated a landmark energy overhaul bill at the center of President Enrique Pena Nieto’s economic reform drive, after the country’s two biggest political parties hammered out a draft presented over the …
