Nokia beats estimates and returns cash, Alcatel deal on track

By Jussi Rosendahl and Leila Abboud HELSINKI/PARIS (Reuters) – Finnish network equipment maker Nokia reported stronger-than-expected quarterly profits as growth in China offset weaker demand in other key markets, and said it would return money to shareholders after acquiring Alcatel-Lucent . The tie-up will vault the new company into a stronger position to compete with Sweden's Ericsson and low-cost Chinese player Huawei [HWT.UL], in a market for telecom network gear where little growth and tough competition are pressing down prices

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Saudi blogger Raif Badawi wins EU’s Sakharov rights prize

By Robin Emmott BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, who has been sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for insulting Islam and for cyber crime, was awarded the European Union's prize for human rights and freedom of thought on Thursday. Badawi received the first of his 50 lashes in January, prompting strong criticism in Western countries of the kingdom's human rights record, including its restrictive laws on political and religious expression and the status of Saudi women. This month in London, he was given the International Writer of Courage award and was co-recipient of the PEN Pinter Prize

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