Japan PM’s ruling bloc seen nearing 2/3 majority in Oct. 22 lower house poll: Nikkei
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling bloc could come close to keeping its two-thirds “super” majority in an Oct. 22 lower house election, defying some predictions of substantial losses and solidifying his grip on power, a surve…
Fearing Trump torpedo, Europe scrambles to save Iran deal
BERLIN/PARIS (Reuters) – European countries are scrambling to cobble together a package of measures they hope will keep the Iran nuclear deal on track if U.S. President Donald Trump ignores their pleas and decertifies the landmark 2015 agreement this w…
Trump sought dramatic increase in U.S. nuclear arsenal: NBC
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump wanted to dramatically increase the country’s nuclear arsenal, he said in a meeting with his national security advisers in July, NBC News reported on Wednesday, citing three officials who were present …
Suicide bombers attack Damascus police center: Syrian state media
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Three attackers blew themselves up near the police headquarters in central Damascus on Wednesday, Syrian state media said, in the second such attack to hit the capital this month.
With far-right in turmoil, France’s Le Pen softens anti-EU stance
PARIS (Reuters) – Far-right leader Marine Le Pen has said it is possible to improve the lives of French citizens without leaving the single European currency, in a marked shift from the anti-EU stance she pushed during her failed presidential bid.
Hungary demands faster EU, NATO integration of West Balkans
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary wants the European Union to speed up integration of the Western Balkans and for NATO to include those countries, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Wednesday.
Spain takes step toward direct rule over Catalonia’s independence move
MADRID/BARCELONA (Reuters) – Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy took the first step on Wednesday toward suspending Catalonia’s political autonomy and ruling the region directly to thwart a push for independence.
Trapped Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar get first substantial food aid in months
YANGON (Reuters) – Rohingya Muslim villagers cut off from food and threatened by Buddhist neighbors in Myanmar’s violence-racked Rakhine state received their first substantial food supplies in months on Wednesday after international pressure on the gov…
Iran president defends Guards in show of unity anticipating Trump
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Iran’s moderate president gave a full-throated defense of his one-time rivals in the Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday, as the country’s pragmatist and hardline factions rallied together in the face of threats from Donald Trump.
UK’s Hammond rejects call to fund plans for ‘no deal’ Brexit
LONDON (Reuters) – British finance minister Philip Hammond rejected calls on Wednesday to start spending on plans for a “no deal” Brexit as a way to put pressure on the rest of the European Union.
