North Korea fires short-range missiles in apparent exercise
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea fired four short-range missiles over the sea off its eastern coast on Thursday, a media official at South Korea’s Defence Ministry said, but provided no information as to the purpose of the firing.
U.S. rights report highlights China, Myanmar reforms, abuses
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department noted some positive reforms in Myanmar and China and other parts of Asia in its annual human rights report released on Thursday but said that serious abuses and severe restrictions on basic freedoms pers…
Erdogan dares U.S.-based cleric: ‘Do your politics in Turkey’
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday accused a U.S.-based cleric of conspiring against him with the opposition by faking recordings, and dared him to “stand up in the squares” and do his politics in Turkey.
At least 31 killed in Baghdad motorbike market bombing
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – At least 31 people were killed and 51 wounded when a motorcycle rigged with explosives detonated in Baghdad’s Sadr City, Iraqi medical and police sources said.
India’s Modi signals shift in favor of big retail
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s opposition leader – who polls suggest may be elected prime minister this year – said on Thursday small retailers must learn to work with large modern stores and online companies, signaling a shift in policy on a key electo…
Germany’s Merkel to Cameron: I can’t satisfy all Britain’s EU wishes
LONDON (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Prime Minister David Cameron she did not support the kind of fundamental reform of the European Union he wanted, but said Britain should stay inside the bloc to help make it more competitive.
Nigerian Islamists kill 12 in village attacks: witnesses
YOLA, Nigeria (Reuters) – Gunmen from Islamist sect Boko Haram shot dead at least 12 people during a four-hour siege on villages in northeast Nigeria overnight, two days after a deadly attack on a school, witnesses said on Wednesday.
Bin Laden son-in-law faces trial in U.S. on terror charges
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Suleiman Abu Ghaith, one of Osama bin Laden’s sons-in-law and a former spokesman for al Qaeda, heads to trial next week in New York on terror-related charges in a case that could feature testimony from several al Qaeda figures.
Egypt arrests seven pro-Mursi Facebook activists
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian police detained seven men accused of using Facebook for inciting people against the security forces, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday, clamping down on internet activism by supporters of deposed President Mohamed Mursi….
Omani CEO jailed for 23 years in graft case: court
MUSCAT (Reuters) – A court sentenced the CEO of state-owned Oman Oil Company to a total of 23 years in jail on Thursday for accepting bribes, abuse of office and money laundering, the most severe punishment meted out in a series of corruption trials th…
