AFP, OTTAWA: Many western countries voiced swift disapproval after an Egyptian court Saturday handed down three-year prison sentences to three Al-Jazeera reporters whom they have long demanded be released. Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed were in court for the verdict, while…

AFP, NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday announced he was ditching an executive order aimed at making it easier for business to buy land, in a major setback for his reformist government. Modi said he would let the ordinance lapse on Monday, following large-scale farmer protests…

AFP, BANGKOK: Thai police said yesterday a foreigner arrested in connection with the deadly Bangkok bombing was part of a people-smuggling gang who may have launched an attack in response to a crackdown on their trade. The unidentified foreigner, who is being held in military custody at an undisclosed…

AFP, TOKYO: Tens of thousands rallied outside Japan’s parliament yesterday to protest against planned new laws that could see troops in the officially pacifist nation engage in combat for the first time since World War II. A growing number of people, including university students and young parents,…

Iran nuclear deal will fuel terrorism: Netanyahu AFP, FLORENCE, Italy: The deal to curb Iran’s nuclear programme will bolster Tehran’s ability to fund global terrorism by providing the Islamic state with “billions of dollars” in sanctions relief, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin…