
Tony Abbott shows support for burqa ban in parliament
The Australian prime minister has said the burqa is “confronting” and he wishes Muslim women did not wear it as he flagged support for a controversial call to ban the attire inside Parliament House. Despite resisting calls by some MPs for a nationwide ban on the burqa, Tony Abbott said a ban... read more »

Mount Ontake tragedy: Japan volcano death toll likely to rise to 46
The death toll from Japan’s worst volcanic eruption in decades is likely to rise to around 46 after as more victims were discovered on the ash-covered summit, media said on Wednesday. Military searchers resumed a recovery operation with helicopters early on Wednesday after poisonous gas and fears... read more »

2 suicide bomber attacks in Kabul kill 7, wound 21
KABUL: Afghan police say two suicide bombers in the capital have targeted two buses carrying Afghan army troops, killing seven and wounding 21 people. Kabul criminal investigation police chief Mohammad Farid Afzali says first attacker Wednesday morning hit a bus with Afghan National Army officers,... read more »

Told to End Protests, Organizers in Hong Kong Vow to Expand Them
HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s leader on Tuesday called for the pro-democracy demonstrators who have blocked major roads in the city to return home immediately, but protest leaders responded with defiance, threatening to expand the demonstrations and to occupy government buildings. In his first public... read more »