Suspect believed to be part of network
The Thai Police on Saturday arrested a man in connection with a bombing that killed 20 people and wounded dozens of others at a shrine in Bangkok earlier this month. Thai authorities said that the man was also suspected to have been involved in a second blast that took place a day after the first bombing. Police spokesperson Lieutenant-General Prawut Thavornsiri said that the man was arrested from an apartment in the city. "We believe he is part of the network which carried out the two bomb incidents," the spokesperson said, adding that officials had also recovered several documents and passports from him. However, Thaovrnsiri said that the man was not the chief suspect in the bombing.
US expresses concern over journalists' trial in Egypt
The United States on Saturday said that it was "deeply disappointed and concerned" at the three-year prison sentences awarded to three journalists by an Egyptian court. US State Department spokesperson John Kirby said that they would urge the Egyptian government to "take all available measures to redress" the verdict, adding that it negated the "very freedom of expression necessary for stability and development". The three journalists, one of whom is from Australia, were convicted earlier this year of "spreading false news". They were also accused of aiding the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. They have denied the allegations against them.
38 girls killed in Swaziland truck accident
At least 38 young girls and women were killed in Swaziland after their truck collided with another vehicle while travelling to a festival. A rights group said that around 20 others were also injured in the accident, with a representative for the group saying that the death toll was expected to rise. However, police in the country discouraged journalists from reporting on the accident and also prevented press photographers from taking pictures.
Pakistan denies presence of IS, bans group
Pakistan on Saturday banned the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and denied that the militant group had a presence in the country. An Interior Ministry official said that the decision to ban the group was taken after the country's Foreign Office recommended the move following the appearance of banners and graffiti in support of the outfit. The Islamic State has recently made inroads into Afghanistan and the tribal areas of Pakistan through alliances with other, smaller militant groups. It has also fought against other major militant groups in the area, including the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
Rouhani says Iran's defence capability unaffected
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday denied that the country's military capability had been affected by the nuclear deal signed with six world powers last month. Iran would not accept any limitations on its defensive capability, Rouhani said at a press conference. He further said that maintaining the country's military power had been a precondition for peace, adding that Iran would continue to defend itself, "whether with missiles or other methods". Rouhani's remarks have been seen as a move to reassure hardliners within his government that the country had not made significant compromises while signing the deal. Under the terms of the deal, Iran has agreed to strict limitations on its nuclear programme, in exchange for the removal of international sanctions imposed on it.
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The Thai Police on Saturday arrested a man in connection with a bombing that killed 20 people and wounded dozens of others at a shrine in Bangkok earlier this month. Thai authorities said that the man was also suspected to have been involved in a second blast that took place a day after the first bombing. Police spokesperson Lieutenant-General Prawut Thavornsiri said that the man was arrested from an apartment in the city. "We believe he is part of the network which carried out the two bomb incidents," the spokesperson said, adding that officials had also recovered several documents and passports from him. However, Thaovrnsiri said that the man was not the chief suspect in the bombing.
US expresses concern over journalists' trial in Egypt
The United States on Saturday said that it was "deeply disappointed and concerned" at the three-year prison sentences awarded to three journalists by an Egyptian court. US State Department spokesperson John Kirby said that they would urge the Egyptian government to "take all available measures to redress" the verdict, adding that it negated the "very freedom of expression necessary for stability and development". The three journalists, one of whom is from Australia, were convicted earlier this year of "spreading false news". They were also accused of aiding the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. They have denied the allegations against them.
38 girls killed in Swaziland truck accident
At least 38 young girls and women were killed in Swaziland after their truck collided with another vehicle while travelling to a festival. A rights group said that around 20 others were also injured in the accident, with a representative for the group saying that the death toll was expected to rise. However, police in the country discouraged journalists from reporting on the accident and also prevented press photographers from taking pictures.
Pakistan denies presence of IS, bans group
Pakistan on Saturday banned the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and denied that the militant group had a presence in the country. An Interior Ministry official said that the decision to ban the group was taken after the country's Foreign Office recommended the move following the appearance of banners and graffiti in support of the outfit. The Islamic State has recently made inroads into Afghanistan and the tribal areas of Pakistan through alliances with other, smaller militant groups. It has also fought against other major militant groups in the area, including the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
Rouhani says Iran's defence capability unaffected
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday denied that the country's military capability had been affected by the nuclear deal signed with six world powers last month. Iran would not accept any limitations on its defensive capability, Rouhani said at a press conference. He further said that maintaining the country's military power had been a precondition for peace, adding that Iran would continue to defend itself, "whether with missiles or other methods". Rouhani's remarks have been seen as a move to reassure hardliners within his government that the country had not made significant compromises while signing the deal. Under the terms of the deal, Iran has agreed to strict limitations on its nuclear programme, in exchange for the removal of international sanctions imposed on it.
