France’s Chirac snubs Sarkozy to back rival for 2017 presidential bid
PARIS (Reuters) – Former French President Jacques Chirac has backed his one-time protege Alain Juppe in the center-right’s presidential primary, resuming a feud with Nicolas Sarkozy who is seeking to gather support for a fresh tilt at the presidency in…
Putin says hopes election will bring Ukraine stability
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he hoped Ukraine’s parliamentary election on Oct. 26 would help bring stability to the country, saying this was also in Russia’s interests.
Latvia heads to election under shadow of assertive Russia
RIGA (Reuters) – Latvians look likely to back their hawkish centre-right ruling coalition in a parliamentary election on Saturday amid increased tensions with giant neighbor Russia, Riga’s communist-era ruler, over the Ukraine crisis
Myanmar worker admits to British murders in Thailand: police
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A Myanmar man has confessed to the murder of two British tourists in Thailand, police said on Thursday, after pressure to solve a case that the government fears will damage Thailand’s tourist industry.
Philippine Islamist militants threaten to behead German on October 17
MANILA (Reuters) – Al-Qaeda linked Islamist militants in the Philippines said on Thursday they will kill one of two German captives on Oct. 17 unless their demands are met.
Five dead in helicopter crash in France near Swiss border
STRASBOURG France (Reuters) – Five Swiss nationals died in a helicopter crash near the eastern French city of Montbeliard on Thursday, French authorities said.
German court delays ruling on dredging of Elbe in Hamburg
LEIPZIG Germany (Reuters) – A German court delayed a long-awaited ruling on Thursday on the proposed dredging of the river Elbe for large container ships in Hamburg, Germany’s largest port, saying it would wait until the European Court decided on a sim…
Incoming Swedish government won’t raise VAT on restaurants
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Sweden’s incoming center-left government will not raise VAT on restaurant meals, the junior coalition partner the Greens said on Thursday, as they and the Social Democrats try to build a minority government that can win broad poli…
U.N. nuclear watchdog pushes for headway in Iran inquiry: diplomats
VIENNA (Reuters) – The U.N. nuclear agency is expected to make a new attempt soon to advance its investigation into suspected atomic bomb research by Iran, diplomats said on Thursday, more than a month after Tehran missed a deadline for cooperation.
Third American held in North Korea appeals to U.S. for help: report
SEOUL (Reuters) – One of three Americans held in North Korea on charges of crimes against the state said he was anxiously awaiting his trial and appealed for U.S. government help to secure their freedom, a news report said on Thursday.
