Allies deny Slovenian EU nominee has withdrawn
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Allies of Alenka Bratusek, the former Slovenian prime minister, denied she had withdrawn her candidacy to be EU vice president for energy union in the incoming European Commission.
Only three political prisoners among thousands released in Myanmar
YANGON (Reuters) – Only three political prisoners were among thousands of people granted amnesty by the Myanmar government this week and rights group said the release was apparently aimed at improving the country’s image before a visit by the U.S. pres…
Greek lawmakers to start confidence debate, vote expected on Friday
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek lawmakers will begin debating on Wednesday whether to back Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’s government, which has promised an early exit from the country’s EU/IMF bailout, with a confidence vote expected late on Friday.
EU Greens say Slovenian nominee pulls out of Commission
BRUSSELS/LJUBLJANA (Reuters) – Several EU lawmakers from the Greens party said on Wednesday that Alenka Bratusek, the former prime minister of Slovenia, had withdrawn from the process of being nominated to the incoming EU executive, the Commission.
Kurds say air strikes push Islamic State back from Kobani
MURSITPINAR Turkey (Reuters) – U.S.-led air strikes on Wednesday pushed Islamic State fighters back to the edges of the Syrian Kurdish border town of Kobani, which they had appeared set to seize after a three-week assault, Kurdish officials in the town…
U.S., Japan eye closer security ties in Japan defense pact update
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan and the United States agreed on Wednesday to map out how they will work together if Tokyo needs to use force to help protect a friendly country under attack, as they update defense cooperation guidelines for the first time in ne…
Japan sees growing chance of Abe holding talks with China’s Xi
TOKYO (Reuters) – Expectations are growing in Japan that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for an ice-breaking chat next month, while an aide signaled Abe may postpone visits to a shrine for war dead that have infuriated …
For South Korea’s Park, talks with North could rejuvenate her tenure
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea is prepared to discuss its sanctions against the North in a rare meeting with Pyongyang officials, a sign of flexibility as the South’s Park Geun-hye seeks to reenergize her presidency with a breakthrough in bilateral ties…
Al Qaeda attacks south Yemen town of al-Bayda, four soldiers killed
SANAA (Reuters) – Fighters from al Qaeda attacked security and government buildings in al-Bayda in the southern part of Yemen on Wednesday, killing at least four soldiers before they were beaten back, local officials said.
New Belgian government to be sworn in October 11
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Belgium’s new federal government, a center-right coalition of liberals, Christian Democrats and a Flemish regional party, will be sworn in on Saturday, the Royal Palace said on Wednesday.
