Japan-ASEAN call for freedom of air and seas, with tensions high over China
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan and Southeast Asian countries called on Saturday for freedom of the air and sea and urged that disputes be resolved peacefully, amid concerns about Chinese military assertiveness that has raised regional tensions.
Laos human rights chill a year after activist’s disappearance
BANGKOK (Reuters) – The last sign of Sombath Somphone, the most famous social activist in Laos, is a blurry video taken on a Vientiane street.
Mexican senators approve electoral, anti-corruption bills
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s Senate gave final congressional approval on Friday to an electoral reform bill that allows for the re-election of lawmakers, and also pushed forward legislation that would create an anti-corruption watchdog.
U.S. sanctions move angers Iran, Russia sees threat to nuclear deal
VIENNA/MOSCOW (Reuters) – A breakthrough agreement to end the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program appeared to face its first major difficulty on Friday with Russia warning that expanding a U.S. sanctions blacklist could seriously complicate the deal’s…
U.N. peacekeepers find arsenal of weapons left by Congo M23 rebels
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.N. peacekeepers found an arsenal of weapons, including heavy caliber arms and enough ammunition to last a year, at the site of the last stand by M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, U.N. peacekeeping chief He…
North Korea executes leader’s powerful uncle in public purge
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea has executed the powerful uncle of young leader Kim Jong Un, state media said on Friday, the biggest upheaval in years as the ruling dynasty sought to distance itself from responsibility for the isolated states’s dire livi…
High society hits the streets as prominent Thais join protests
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Chitpas Bhirombhakdi is heiress to a $2.6 billion family fortune and, according to high-society magazine Thailand Tatler, one of Bangkok’s “most eligible young ladies”. She can also handle tear gas and ride a tractor.
U.S. to keep 1,500 troops in Jordan for time being
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States has about 1,500 U.S. troops in Jordan and they will remain there until the security situation improves, the White House told Congress on Friday.
Venezuelan socialists win 54 percent of mayors’ vote
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s ruling Socialist Party and allies took 10 percentage points more votes than opposition rivals in Sunday’s election for mayors that was a test of strength for President Nicolas Maduro, final results showed on Friday.
Kerry says Israeli-Palestinian deal possible by end-April
TEL AVIV, Israel (Reuters) – Shrugging off gloomy predictions of failure, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday that Israelis and Palestinians remained committed to peace talks and were on course to wrap up a full deal by April.
