Flush with victory, combative Erdogan demands Turkey constitution change
ANKARA (Reuters) – Flush with an election victory, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan demanded constitutional change that he wants to gain sweeping powers, and vowed to “liquidate” Kurdish guerrillas in a defiant speech that gave no quarter to those hopi…
Thai junta turns to populist subsidies to ease farmer tensions
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s junta has approved $1.3 billion in rural subsidies, akin to the populist policies of the government it ousted, to appease disgruntled and politically powerful farmers who are struggling with record low commodity prices an…
EU’s Tusk says Russia does not abide by Minsk deal on Ukraine
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Russia is not fully abiding by the terms of the Minsk peace deal for Ukraine and this will be taken into account by the European Union when it reviews its sanctions on Russia before the end of the year, the chairman of EU leaders s…
Iran says no co-operation with U.S. in ‘fight against terrorists’
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran will not cooperate with the United States on the “fight against terrorists in Syria”, a top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted as saying by state media on Wednesday.
Maldives declares state of emergency as turmoil deepens
MALE (Reuters) – The Maldives declared a state of emergency for 30 days on Wednesday citing a threat to national security, as President Abdulla Yameen sought to shore up his power over the Indian Ocean island nation following a suspected assassination …
Ten dead, scores trapped as Pakistan factory collapses
LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) – At least ten people were killed and scores trapped when a factory collapsed at an industrial site near Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday, officials said.
Tunisian lawmakers suspend membership in ruling party, threatening split
TUNIS (Reuters) – Thirty lawmakers from Tunisia’s ruling party suspended their membership on Wednesday and threatened to resign in protest over what they called attempts by President Beji Caid Essebsi’s son to control the party.
Iran hardliners mark U.S. embassy raid with new ‘infiltration’ warning
DUBAI (Reuters) – Thousands of Iranians rallied to celebrate the anniversary of the 1979 hostage-taking at the U.S. embassy on Wednesday, as hardliners cited Western “infiltration” following a landmark nuclear deal with world powers.
Romanian PM Victor Ponta steps down, court case looms
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta and his cabinet resigned on Wednesday in the wake of a nightclub fire that killed 32 people and injured nearly 200, leading to nationwide protests against a public administration widely seen as…
Finland suspends decisions on Afghani asylum claims
HELSINKI (Reuters) – Finland on Wednesday said it has suspended its decision-making process for Afghani asylum claims due to an ongoing assessment of the security situation in the country.
