Netflix lands first nomination

Streaming TV and movie provider Netflix won its first Oscar nomination on Thursday for The Square, a documentary about the 2011 revolution and ongoing strife in Egypt.

Thousands flee Los Angeles wildfire

A fast-moving California wildfire, started accidentally by three campers, roared out of control in the foothills above Los Angeles on Thursday, destroying five homes and forcing some 3,600 residents to evacuate, fire and law enforcement officials said.

Dozens of protesters hurt in Bangkok blast

Anti-govt rallies, violence in Thai capital build as elections approach

Indonesia to step up patrols in feud with Australia

Indonesia will increase maritime patrols after what it called deplorable territorial violations by Australia's navy as it tried to turn back asylum seekers, worsening an already bitter dispute between the two neighbors over the issue.

NSA program 'collects 200 million texts a day'

The US National Security Agency has been gathering nearly 200 million text messages a day from around the world, gathering data on people's travel plans, contacts and credit card transactions, Britain's Guardian newspaper said on Thursday.

Syrian rebels weigh joining talks

The divided Syrian opposition was scheduled to meet on Friday in Istanbul to decide whether to join next week's landmark peace talks, as its Arab and Western allies ratchet up the pressure for it to attend.

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DPRK urges calm to avert crisis

China calls for restraint as Washington, Seoul prepare to conduct military exercises

Nuclear deal backed

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has endorsed a two-year extension of a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the Republic of Korea, but a key lawmaker is opposing a proposal from Seoul to allow reprocessing of spent fuel.

US House links spending bill to 'comfort women'

The US House of Representatives has for the first time passed a $1 trillion spending bill to which a document is attached, calling for US Secretary of State John Kerry to encourage Japan to address the issue of "comfort women" - women forced to be sex slaves for the Japanese military during World War II, Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday.

2 arrested in tourist gang rape, more being sought

Two suspects arrested in the gang rape of a 51-year-old Danish tourist in New Delhi are unemployed young men who allegedly attacked the woman for nearly three hours before fleeing with her belongings, police said on Thursday.

New Egyptian Constitution approved in 2-day vote

Egyptian voters overwhelmingly backed a new constitution that paves the way for the army chief to run for president, early results showed on Thursday, but turnout figures will provide a key measure of his popularity.