Damascenes fear Assad election will provoke rebel onslaught
(This story was reported by a journalist whose name has been withheld for security reasons)
‘Serious anomalies’ in Malawi vote count: President
LILONGWE (Reuters) – Malawi’s ruling People Party has found “serious irregularities” in the counting and announcement of results from its May 20 election, President Joyce Banda said on Thursday, ordering a “manual audit” of the process.
Thai army takes control of government: army chief
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha seized control of the government on Thursday, saying the army had to restore order and push through reforms, two days after he declared martial law.
With wary eye on China, Japan drill simulates retaking island
ENIYABANAREJIMA, Japan (Reuters) – Japanese land, sea and air forces combined to simulate the recapture of a remote island on Thursday, a small drill that nonetheless underscores the country’s concerns about far-flung territory claimed by China.
Russian vanity projects lose luster
SKOLKOVO, Russia (Reuters) – Students at Moscow’s new science-focused university crowded into a lecture theatre outside the capital earlier this month to hear Canadian-born Nobel prizewinning molecular biologist Sidney Altman speak.
Chinese police seal off train station after detecting suspected explosives: state media
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese police sealed off a train station on Thursday in the northwestern city of Lanzhou after detecting suspected explosives, state media said.
Police, protesters clash in Istanbul, one person wounded: media
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish police fired tear gas to disperse protesters throwing petrol bombs and stones in the Istanbul district of Okmeydani on Thursday and one person was seriously wounded, the private Dogan news agency and other media reported.
China to probe tech suppliers for security checks amid row with U.S.
BEIJING (Reuters) – China will investigate providers of important IT products and services to protect “national security” and “economic and social development”, the official Xinhua news agency said on Thursday, amid a row over cyber spying with the Uni…
France’s Sarkozy calls for two-speed EU, tighter borders
PARIS (Reuters) – Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy weighed into the European Parliament election campaign on Thursday, calling for tighter controls on immigration and a two-speed Europe with a powerful Franco-German economic zone at its heart.
Pakistan says received Modi’s invitation, to decide soon
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan has received an invitation to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to attend the inauguration of Indian Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi and will decide on Thursday whether to accept, the foreign office said.
