Afghan schools hit as militants seek soft targets
A suicide bomb attack on a group of teenagers studying for university exams in Kabul on Wednesday shocked Afghanistan but it was only the latest in a series of attacks on schools which have proved an easy target for militant groups.
Mali president Keita wins re-election with 67 percent of vote: official result
Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita won re-election with 67 percent of the vote in a run-off against opposition rival Soumaila Cisse, the Ministry of Territorial Administration said on Thursday.
Islamic State claims deadly Kabul suicide bombing: Amaq
Islamic State said one of its militants was responsible for a deadly suicide bombing in a Shi’ite area of the Afghan capital Kabul on Wednesday, the group’s Amaq news agency said on Thursday without providing proof.
In eye of the storm, Turkey’s new finance chief faces credibility test
Turkish Finance Minister Berat Albayrak faces a key credibility test on Thursday when he hosts a conference call with global investors to reassure them that policy makers can contain the country’s worst currency crisis since 2001.
Women charged with murder of North Korean to testify in Malaysia trial
Two women charged with murdering the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un must answer for their role in a well-planned conspiracy, a Malaysian judge said on Thursday, but added that the evidence did not prove a political assassinat…
UNRWA says its schools for Palestinian refugees to open on time despite U.S. funding cut
The United Nations agency dealing with Palestinian refugees said on Thursday it would open its schools in the Middle East as scheduled this month despite a deficit caused by a U.S. funding cut.
Russia mulls response to U.S. sanctions over North Korea: Ifax
Russia is working on retaliatory measures against the United States after it imposed sanctions on a Russian company for aiding North Korea, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency on Thursday.
Turkish lira firms against dollar ahead of Albayrak presentation
The Turkish lira rallied 3 percent on Thursday ahead of a presentation by Finance Minister Berat Albayrak to investors, shrugging off U.S. comments ruling out the removal of steel tariffs on Turkey even if it frees a U.S. pastor.
Thailand to ban imports of high-tech trash, plastic waste
Thailand will ban imports of 432 types of scrap electronics within six months, an environment ministry official said on Thursday, the latest country to respond to China’s crackdown on imports of high-tech trash this year.
State may have to take over Italy motorways: Italy deputy PM
The Italian state will have to take over the country’s motorways if companies who have concessions are not able to do the job properly, deputy prime minister Luigi Di Maio said on Thursday.
