Thaksin’s party denies role in Thai blasts as police hunt suspects
BANGKOK/HUA HIN, Thailand (Reuters) – The Thai political party whose governments have been overthrown by the country’s ruling generals denied on Saturday having any role in the bomb attacks on popular tourist destinations that killed four people and wo…
Cubans salsa into Fidel Castro’s 90th birthday
HAVANA (Reuters) – Thousands partied along Havana’s Malecon seafront into the early hours of Saturday, celebrating retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro turning 90 to the tune of Latin beats as an electric storm in the distance lit up the night sky.
Zambia’s opposition leader takes narrow early lead in election
LUSAKA (Reuters) – Zambia’s main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema took an early lead over President Edgar Lungu on Saturday in a tight election battle fought as the key copper producer’s economy stutters due to weak commodity prices.
Malaysia arrests Islamic State suspects for grenade attack on bar in June
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian police have arrested nine militants, including two suspected of carrying out a grenade attack, claimed by Islamic State, at a nightspot on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur in June, the country’s police chief said on Satu…
Venezuela court dismisses appeal by opposition leader Lopez
CARACAS (Reuters) – A Venezuelan court has dismissed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez’s appeal against 14-year prison sentence for his role in anti-government protests two years ago, a lawyer representing him said on Friday.
Colombia tax reform to go to Congress in October: president
BOGOTA (Reuters) – A long-awaited tax reform will be presented to Colombia’s congress in October, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Friday, and it will be approved before the end of the year.
Croatia candidates battle over tax cuts ahead of September polls
ZAGREB (Reuters) – The top two contenders in Croatia’s general election battled on Friday over who would be best placed to cut taxes and boost growth, in a televised debate that put the economy at the forefront of a ballot that might not end a politica…
U.S. general calls on Russia to allow observers at military drills
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Russia should allow observers, including Western journalists, to attend upcoming military drills that could again put Ukraine on edge just as Russian President Vladimir Putin has sharpened his rhetoric, the commander of the U.S. …
New suspect in French priest killing formally charged
PARIS (Reuters) – A man under arrest since Monday as part of the investigation into the killing of a French priest last month has been placed under formal investigation, a police source told Reuters on Friday.
Biden urges Ukraine president to avoid escalating tensions with Russia: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke by phone on Friday with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and urged him “to do his part” to avoid escalating tensions with Russia, the White House said.
