Britain’s opposition Labour party to pledge EU referendum: report
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s opposition Labour party is preparing to change its policy on the European Union by pledging to hold a referendum on the country’s membership of the bloc at some point if elected in 2015, the Times newspaper reported on Wedn…
Once unthinkable, civil strife stalks tropical Thailand
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand is hurtling towards a dark and unfamiliar place. After almost four months of round-the-clock anti-government protests, institutions that provided a buffer in past conflicts have not stepped in, making the country look incre…
China blames Philippines for latest South China Sea incident
BEIJING (Reuters) – China on Wednesday accused the Philippines of “deliberate provocations” over an incident in disputed waters in the South China Sea that drew a protest from Manila about what it called Chinese ships’ use of a water cannon on Filipino…
Turkey’s president approves law tightening grip on judiciary
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish President Abdullah Gul approved a law boosting government control over the appointment of judges and prosecutors, his office said on Wednesday.
Hezbollah says will respond to Israeli strike
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Hezbollah will respond to an Israeli air strike on Monday night that hit one of its bases on the border with Syria, the Lebanese militant group said on Wednesday.
Gunfire by night becomes new norm in downtown Bangkok
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Shots fired by unknown gunmen on Wednesday rattled parts of the Thai capital where anti-government protesters have set up camp for weeks, with small but occasionally deadly bombs and gunfire fast becoming the new norm in the city.
Turkish foreign minister says world has failed Syria
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s foreign minister said Syria’s worsening war now posed a danger to all countries because President Bashar al-Assad’s government had been allowed to continue its “crimes” while jihadists from around the world flooded in to fig…
Chinese wartime forced laborers sue Japanese firms
BEIJING (Reuters) – A Beijing court accepted a lawsuit on Wednesday demanding compensation for Chinese citizens made by the Japanese to work as forced laborers during World War Two, state media reported.
U.S. envoy stresses human rights in China farewell speech
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s future development will hinge on a neutral judiciary and freedom of speech, U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke said on Wednesday in his final speech as envoy to Beijing, focusing heavily on human rights.
Two unaccounted for in Indian submarine incident
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Two Indian navy officers were unaccounted for on Wednesday after an incident aboard a submarine, months after an accidental weapons blast caused the deaths of all 18 Indian submariners on a Russian-built vessel.
