Putin ally proposes early election to get through Russia’s storm
ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) – A former finance minister proposed on Thursday bringing forward the next presidential election to give his ally, Vladimir Putin, a stronger mandate to reform the economy and guide Russia through a financial “storm”.
Toyota PR chief arrested on suspected Japan drug violation
TOKYO (Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp’s head of public relations, an American and its first female senior executive, was arrested on Thursday on a suspected violation of Japan’s drug laws for sending a painkiller through the mail.
Arson attack guts part of Israel’s Church of Loaves and Fishes
TABGHA, Israel (Reuters) – An arson attack on Thursday gutted part of a church at the traditional site of what Christianity reveres as Jesus’s miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, the Israeli fire brigade said.
Turkish election board confirms AK Party won 258 of 550 parliamentary seats
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s AK Party (AKP) won 258 of parliament’s 550 seats in a June 7 election, while the second-biggest Republican People’s Party (CHP) took 132 seats, according to official results announced on Thursday.
Boko Haram kills at least 30 in attacks on Niger villages: sources
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Boko Haram militants attacked two villages in southern Niger’s Diffa region overnight, killing at least 30 civilians, two security sources said on Thursday.
Hong Kong vetoes China-backed electoral reform proposal
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s legislature on Thursday vetoed a China-backed electoral reform package criticized by opposition pro-democracy lawmakers and activists as undemocratic, easing for now the prospect of fresh mass protests in the financial…
Islamic State targeted in 22 air strikes by U.S., allies: military statement
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and coalition allies staged 22 air strikes on Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria in the latest daily attacks on the militant group, the Combined Joint Task Force said in a statement on Thursday.
Scioli rival in Argentina ruling party presidential primary said to step down
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Daniel Scioli’s sole rival for the ruling party candidacy in Argentina’s primary for presidential elections has dropped out of the race, Cabinet chief Anibal Fernandez told reporters on Thursday.
Britain defends invite to Egypt’s Sisi after Mursi death sentence
LONDON (Reuters) – The British government on Thursday defended its plan to invite Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to visit, saying it was important to engage with countries and to raise “matters of concern”.
Thailand confirms first MERS case: health ministry
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand confirmed its first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) on Thursday, becoming the fourth Asian country to register the deadly virus this year.
