Italy would ‘positively consider’ U.S. request to use airbases for Libya strikes
ROME (Reuters) – Italy signaled it would most likely allow the use of its airbases and airspace for strikes against Islamic State militants in Libya if the United States asks, Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti said on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe police use batons to break-up anti-government protest
HARARE (Reuters) – Anti-riot police used batons to break up a peaceful march in Zimbabwe’s capital on Wednesday, the latest public protest against President Robert Mugabe’s government’s handling of the economy.
Myanmar lawmakers want tougher measures to combat drugs
YANGON (Reuters) – Military officials and lawmakers in Myanmar have voiced disappointment over the southeast Asian nation’s lacklustre efforts to combat illegal drugs, urging it to step up the battle on the narcotics trade.
Tunisian president names Youssef Chahed as new prime minister
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia’s President Beji Caid Essebsi named Youssef Chahed as prime minister on Wednesday after parliament ousted Habib Essid in a vote of no-confidence because of his handling of economic reforms and security.
Britain’s anti-EU UKIP excludes favorite from leadership race
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s UK Independence Party, whose growing influence helped prompt the calling of June’s EU referendum, was plunged into turmoil on Wednesday over the choice of a new leader.
Nepal picks Maoist as PM, amid revolving-door politics
KATHMANDU (Reuters) – Nepal’s parliament on Wednesday elected Prachanda, who led a decade-long insurgency that topped a feudal monarchy, as the Himalayan nation’s new prime minister, a week after K.P. Oli stepped down to avoid a no-confidence motion.
Italian police arrest Syrian suspected of trying to join militants
ROME (Reuters) – Italian police arrested a Syrian man in the northern city of Genoa on Wednesday on suspicion he was planning to travel to his home country to join Islamist militants.
China sentences activist linked to law firm for state subversion
BEIJING (Reuters) – A court in China sentenced an activist to seven and a half years in prison on Wednesday for subverting state power, state media reported, the latest jailing linked to a crackdown on human rights lawyers.
Greece wants ‘Plan B’ after Turkey threatens to quit EU migrant deal: paper
BERLIN (Reuters) – The European Union needs to come up with an alternative plan for tackling migration after Turkey threatened to back out of an accord to help stem the influx of migrants to Europe, Greece’s migration minister told German daily Bild.
Germany hands ex-Yugoslav spies life sentences for dissident murder
MUNICH (Reuters) – A German court sentenced two former Yugoslav intelligence chiefs to life in prison on Wednesday for masterminding the murder of a Yugoslav dissident in the southern German state of Bavaria more than three decades ago.
