Thai polls in Nov :

BANGKOK: General elections meant to pull Thailand out of almost a year of political deadlock will take place in late November. “The new election date is either on November 19 or 26. The sooner the better, because the election cannot be delayed until next year,” said Apichart Sukhakkhanon, who was named as the election body’s chairman. “Personally I agree that these two dates are appropriate,” said Apichart. — AFP

Militant jailed :

BALI: An Islamic militant showed no remorse on Thursday after being sentenced to 15 years in prison for the 2005 Bali bombings that left 20 dead, vowing to take part in new suicide missions after he was freed. Anif Solchanudin — one of four men convicted in the attacks on three crowded restaurants — was charged with helping plan the bombings and hiding one of Southeast Asia’s most wanted terror suspects.— AP

China fire kills seven :

BEIJING: A pre-dawn fire at a commercial building in eastern China killed at least seven people on Thursday. The blaze in a five-story department store in Zhejiang province’s Huzhou city started at about 2030 GMT. The building was home to at least 18 people. — AP

Scribes deported :

JAYAPURA: Five Australian TV journalists were being deported from Indonesia on Thursday after travelling to restive Papua province on tourist visas. Presenter Naomi Robson of the public affairs programme “Today Tonight” and four members of her film crew were escorted by immigration officials on board a commercial flight from Papua to the capital. — AP

Soldier kills officer :

JAMMU: An Indian soldier shot dead his commanding officer in Kashmir, blaming the killing on the tensions of serving in the volatile area. The soldier, Naik Ravi Kumar, was arrested after shooting Maj Harsh Kumar with his service weapon late on Wednesday at a base in Rajouri district. — AP

Bus mishap kills eight :

MUZAFFARABAD: A bus carrying dozens of passengers lost control and fell into a river in Pakistan’s part of Kashmir, killing at least eight people and injuring 30. The dead included six soldiers who were going to their villages on leave. The accident happened on Wednesday near the village of Khel in Neelum Valley.— AP