Former senior China official to be prosecuted for graft
BEIJING (Reuters) – A former deputy head of China’s top planning agency has been thrown out of the Communist Party and will be prosecuted for corruption, state media said on Thursday, after allegations against him were first posted online.
Philippines’ Aquino vows tough action after blasts in south
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino vowed on Thursday tough action against “enemies of peace” after a spate of bomb attacks in the south which security officials blamed on a new al Qaeda-linked militant group.
Czech Social Democrats see enough support to call early election
PRAGUE (Reuters) – Czech Social Democrat party leader Bohuslav Sobotka said on Thursday he believed there was sufficient support for a motion to dissolve parliament and hold an early election in the autumn.
Pakistan army says civilian wounded by Indian fire on Kashmir border
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan’s military accused Indian forces on Thursday of wounding a Pakistani civilian after opening fire along the disputed Kashmir border, a security source said.
Turkish parliament may re-open to pass rights legislation: PM
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s parliament may reconvene early from its summer recess to pass laws to expand Kurdish rights, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, a move crucial to resolving a 28-year conflict.
Czech parliament to hold session to dissolve itself next week
PRAGUE (Reuters) – The lower house of the Czech parliament will hold a session to dissolve itself sometime next week, opening the way to an early election, Deputy Speaker Jan Hamacek told Reuters.
Iran has new rocket site, ballistic missile tests possible: report
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran has constructed a rocket-launching site that could be used for testing ballistic missiles, a report from a military intelligence publication said on Thursday.
Kenya resumes some international flights, fears for reputation
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Some international flights resumed at Nairobi’s main airport on Thursday, but visitors complained and vital air cargo was blocked underlining fears that fire damage could threaten its role as Kenya’s key transport hub.
Japan protests to China after ships linger for a day near isles
TOKYO (Reuters) – Four Chinese ships spent more than 24 hours in what Japan sees as its territorial waters, prompting a Japanese protest to China on Thursday at a time when Japan has been signaling its desire for a summit.
Syrian information minister denies attack on Assad’s motorcade
AMMAN (Reuters) – Syria’s Information Minister denied on Thursday reports by the opposition that President Bashar al-Assad’s motorcade was hit by rebel rocket fire as he was on his way to a mosque in Damascus.
