Iranian hardliners block Rouhani’s promises of greater freedom
BEIRUT (Reuters) – After a year in office, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has achieved a steady thaw in relations with the West but failed so far to deliver on campaign promises of more freedom at home.
Russian court upholds businessman Yevtushenkov’s house arrest
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Moscow court on Thursday ordered wealthy businessman Vladimir Yevtushenkov to remain under house arrest until Nov. 16, pushing down shares in his company Sistema in a case that has shocked Russian business leaders.
Pakistan policeman kills Christian accused of blasphemy
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – A Pakistani policeman shot two men in jail on Thursday, killing one accused of blasphemy and wounding another condemned to death on the same charge, lawyers and an activist said.
Thai deputy PM wants more surveillance cameras after British murders
BANGKOK (Reuters) – More surveillance cameras are to be installed in Bangkok and at tourist destinations in Thailand following the murder of two British tourists, a deputy prime minister said on Thursday.
Magnitude 6.3 quake strikes off Solomon Islands: USGS
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck off the Solomon Islands on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey reported.
China to send 700 troops to South Sudan to assist U.N. mission
BEIJING (Reuters) – China said on Thursday it will send 700 troops to join a U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, where fighting has threatened Beijing’s oil investments.
Egypt blasts Turkish leader Erdogan after U.N. speech
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt has accused Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan of supporting terrorists and seeking to provoke mayhem in the Middle East after he questioned the legitimacy of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in a speech at the UN General Asse…
Australian defense force officer attacked in Sydney: police
SYDNEY (Reuters) – An Australian Defense Force member was attacked by two men “of Middle Eastern appearance” in Sydney on Thursday, police said, two days after a teenager was shot dead after stabbing two counter-terrorism officers.
Myanmar army releases more than 100 child soldiers
YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar’s army released 109 children from its military ranks on Thursday in its single biggest discharge of child soldiers, but boys are still being illegally recruited from poor families, the United Nations said.
UK PM Cameron to apologize to the Queen over ‘purring’ comment – Sky
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron is to apologize in person to Queen Elizabeth after he was overheard saying she had “purred” with happiness on hearing that Scots had voted to reject independence, Sky News said on Thursday.
