Gunman arrested after armed standoff in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – An armed man demanding the establishment of Islamic rule in Pakistan opened fire in the heart of Islamabad on Thursday and was arrested hours later after a standoff with police that was broadcast live on television.
Venezuela politics soiled by sordid claims, gay slurs
CARACAS (Reuters) – From allegations of gay and transvestite prostitution rings to homophobic slurs flying in the National Assembly, Venezuela’s polarized politics has taken a distasteful turn.
Iran parliament approves big Rouhani cabinet nominees, rejects three
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran’s parliament on Thursday approved all President Hassan Rouhani’s big-name nominees for a cabinet of technocrats, which will have the task of implementing his plans to patch up relations with the world and ease international sanct…
Egypt’s UK envoy says protesters “got what they wanted”
LONDON (Reuters) – Egypt’s ambassador to Britain said a crackdown on supporters of deposed President Mohamed Mursi was not excessive and that protesters had portrayed themselves as victims and had shot one another dead in some cases.
U.S. reviewing aid to Egypt in all forms: State Department
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States said on Thursday it will review aid to Egypt “in all forms” after President Barack Obama canceled joint military exercises with Egypt next month in response to a bloody clampdown by Egyptian security forces.
Libyan government threatens army action if protesters sell oil
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya will use all means necessary, including the army, to prevent protesters from selling its crude oil independently, prime minister Ali Zeidan said at a press conference in Tripoli on Thursday.
Senior EU diplomats to debate Egypt on Monday
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Senior European Union diplomats will meet in Brussels on Monday to assess the situation in Egypt and possible EU action, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on Thursday.
Despite carnage, Muslim Brothers win little sympathy in Cairo
CAIRO (Reuters) – Normally crammed with cars and people, the chaotic streets of Cairo were strangely quiet on Thursday, with many shops still shuttered the day after security forces crushed supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Egypt cancels decision to shorten curfew hours: statement
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt canceled a decision to shorten the hours of a curfew imposed on Cairo and 13 other cities following political violence in which more than 500 people were killed.
Bissau army chief vows to never resign nor retire
BISSAU (Reuters) – Guinea-Bissau’s army chief vowed on Thursday to never retire or resign, casting doubt over any future civilian government’s attempt to wrest back control of the West African nation from the army.
