Bahrain to detain, question activist Nabeel Rajab for one week: associate
DUBAI (Reuters) – Bahrain’s Public Prosecution on Thursday ordered prominent rights activist Nabeel Rajab to be held and questioned for one week over remarks published on his Twitter account that were critical of state institutions, an associate of Raj…
Egypt army kills militant commander in Sinai: security sources
ISMALIA Egypt (Reuters) – Egypt’s army killed a field commander in Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, the country’s most dangerous Islamist militant group, during clashes on Thursday in the lawless north of the Sinai Peninsula, security sources said.
Seven killed in Pakistan passenger bus explosion
PESHAWAR Pakistan (Reuters) – Seven people were killed and at least 11 wounded when an explosive device ripped through a passenger bus traveling outside the volatile Pakistani city of Peshawar on Thursday, a hospital spokesman and police said.
Putin says ‘foolish’ sanctions will not hold back Russia
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin dismissed Western sanctions as “utter foolishness” on Thursday and said they would not stop Russia developing into a stronger economic power.
French forces kill at least five after Central Africa clashes
PARIS (Reuters) – French peacekeeping troops in Central African Republic killed at least five gunmen after coming under attack from Muslims and Christians at two different locations in Bambari, northeast of the capital Bangui, an army spokesman said.
France’s Chirac snubs Sarkozy to back rival for 2017 presidential bid
PARIS (Reuters) – Former French President Jacques Chirac has backed his one-time protege Alain Juppe in the center-right’s presidential primary, resuming a feud with Nicolas Sarkozy who is seeking to gather support for a fresh tilt at the presidency in…
Putin says hopes election will bring Ukraine stability
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he hoped Ukraine’s parliamentary election on Oct. 26 would help bring stability to the country, saying this was also in Russia’s interests.
Latvia heads to election under shadow of assertive Russia
RIGA (Reuters) – Latvians look likely to back their hawkish centre-right ruling coalition in a parliamentary election on Saturday amid increased tensions with giant neighbor Russia, Riga’s communist-era ruler, over the Ukraine crisis
Myanmar worker admits to British murders in Thailand: police
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A Myanmar man has confessed to the murder of two British tourists in Thailand, police said on Thursday, after pressure to solve a case that the government fears will damage Thailand’s tourist industry.
Philippine Islamist militants threaten to behead German on October 17
MANILA (Reuters) – Al-Qaeda linked Islamist militants in the Philippines said on Thursday they will kill one of two German captives on Oct. 17 unless their demands are met.