Explosion shakes Afghan capital, no word on casualties
An explosion shook an upscale area of the Afghan capital on Wednesday, the third day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, sending a cloud of smoke and dust into the sky, Reuters witnesses said, but it was not clear if there were any casualties.
Tencent pulls blockbuster game PUBG in China, launches patriotic alternative
Tencent Holdings Ltd on Wednesday shut down its test version of global blockbuster “PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds” in China and shifted users to a similar, more patriotic video game which, unlike PUBG, has regulatory approval to generate revenue.
Malaysia’s new government slow on reforms, rights groups say
Malaysia’s new government has failed to deliver on most of its human rights reform promises in its first year in power, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia replaces civil aviation head amid airport delays
Saudi Arabia replaced the head of its civil aviation authority on Wednesday, after lengthy flight delays at domestic airports disrupted journeys at the start of a busy annual travel season.
Finland’s Social Democrats aim to form government with Centre Party, three others
Finland’s Social Democrats said on Wednesday they would try to form a coalition government with the Centre Party and three smaller partners after coming out on top in elections.
Kabul car bomb blast targets foreign aid group: security officials
A car bomb targeted an international aid organization in an upscale area of Kabul, the Afghan capital on Wednesday, the third day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, sending a plume of smoke and dust into the sky, security officials said.
Iran rolls back part of nuclear pact, France issues warning
Iran said it had started scaling back parts of its commitments under its 2015 nuclear deal on Wednesday and threatened to do more if world powers did not protect it from U.S. sanctions, a year after Washington pulled out of the pact.
Israel won’t let Iran get nuclear weaponry: Netanyahu
Israel will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weaponry, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday, reiterating a long-held Israeli position after Tehran announced it was scaling back some of its commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal.
Seven Russian tourists feared killed by avalanche in Siberia
Seven Russian tourists on a hiking holiday in Siberia are feared dead after an avalanche on a ridge in the Altai region, the local emergencies ministry said on Wednesday, saying rescue workers were still looking for the missing walkers.
Donning elaborate robes, Japan’s new imperial couple hold Shinto rite
Japan’s new Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako donned traditional robes on Wednesday for rituals in which he reported to Shinto gods the date of two important ceremonies later this year, including his enthronement.
