Gunmen shoot dead Iran prosecutor in unruly southeast
DUBAI (Reuters) – Gunmen shot dead a public prosecutor and his driver in southeastern Iran on Wednesday, Iranian media said, less than two weeks after militants killed 14 Iranian border guards nearby and Tehran retaliated by hanging 16 prisoners.
Myanmar set to release dozens of political prisoners: panel member
YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar may release scores of political prisoners this month to fulfil a promise by its reformist president to free prisoners of conscience by the end of this year, a member of a state-appointed panel said on Wednesday.
Israel’s Lieberman cleared of corruption charges
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Former Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, a key ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was cleared of corruption charges in court on Wednesday, paving the way for a political comeback.
Thai Senate likely to reject amnesty bill, says speaker
BANGKOK (Reuters) – The Thai Senate will likely reject an amnesty bill critics say is aimed at bringing back convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra from exile, the Senate Speaker said on Wednesday, a move that could defuse rising tension on the st…
Japan collective self-defense should include others, not just U.S.: adviser
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan should change the interpretation of its constitution to allow its military to defend not only its ally, the United States, but also other countries whose interests are closely intertwined with Tokyo, a key security adviser to Pr…
Explosions kill 1, injure 8 in north China city: reports
BEIJING (Reuters) – Several small bombs exploded in front of a Communist Party building in the northern Chinese city of Taiyuan on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring another eight, state media said.
Tajik leader Rakhmon set to extend long rule
DUSHANBE (Reuters) – Tajikistan on Wednesday started voting in a presidential election in which incumbent Imomali Rakhmon is set to win a new seven-year term to lead the Central Asian country that faces security threats from neighboring Afghanistan.
Colombia says Russian bombers violated its airspace
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia is preparing a letter of protest to Russia after two Russian bomber planes twice entered the Andean nation’s airspace without authorization when flying between Venezuela and Nicaragua last week, President Juan Manuel Santos …
U.S., Russia fail to agree on Syria peace talks date
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United States and Russia failed on Tuesday to agree on a date for a Syrian peace conference, remaining divided over what role Iran might play in talks to end the civil war and over who would represent Syria’s opposition.
Exclusive: Syrian chemical weapons mission funded only until end of month
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The international body tasked with ensuring Syria’s chemical weapons are eliminated has enough money to fund its mission only until the end of this month, and needs more funds soon for the destruction of poison gas stocks next yea…
