Reuters

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia would do everything to avoid a clash of global powers but would not let itself be threatened, in a speech to mark the anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.

Putin was addressing massed ranks of Russian servicemen on Red Square.

"Russia will do everything to prevent a global clash. But at the same time we will not allow anyone to... (continue reading...)

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Communities and workers near the site of a fire at a fuel tank terminal in Thailand's eastern province have been ordered to urgently evacuate as the blaze was likely to spread, the industry ministry said on Thursday.

One person was confirmed dead and three hospitalised according to a statement from the owner of the facility, Siam Cement group. The ministry in a statement said the owner was currently controlling the situation.

QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Gunmen shot and killed seven labourers near southwestern Pakistan's Gwadar port early on Thursday, police said.

Police official Mohsin Ali said the gunmen stormed into a house some 25 km (15 miles) east of the port city and shot and killed the labourers in their sleep.

The port city is located in troubled southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran.

No one has claimed... (continue reading...)

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's Nissan Motor expects operating profit to rise 5.5% this year on growing global sales, it said on Thursday, while warning that intense competition and difficulties from inflationary pressure would remain this financial year.

The Yokohama-based automaker sees operating profit coming in at 600 billion yen ($3.85 billion) in the year that started on April 1, compared with the 577.3 billion yen average estimate from 18 analysts surveyed... (continue reading...)

(Reuters) - European stocks were muted on Thursday, as investors took a breather after recent gains and awaited the Bank of England's policy decision later in the day, while shares of Spanish bank Sabadell jumped after rival BBVA's hostile takeover bid.

The pan-European STOXX 600 edged 0.1% lower by 0720 GMT, after notching record-closing highs for two straight days.

Automobiles was the worst hit sector, down 1.2%, dragged by a 5.5% drop... (continue reading...)