Putin gambles on Ukraine bailout
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin has taken a gamble with Russia’s own fragile economy by bailing out Ukraine for the sake of keeping it in Moscow’s orbit and out of the European Union’s embrace.
Thousands demand Italian government resign in Rome rally
ROME (Reuters) – Thousands of protesters furious about high unemployment and a political class they regard as corrupt rallied in central Rome on Wednesday demanding the resignation of Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s government.
Iran, six powers to resume nuclear talks after snag
DUBAI/VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran and six world powers will resume talks in Geneva on Thursday about how to implement a landmark nuclear agreement, a week after Tehran broke off the discussions in anger at an expanding U.S. sanctions blacklist.
Protest wave against new Austrian government rises
VIENNA (Reuters) – A wave of protests against Austria’s new government escalated as tens of thousands of civil servants demonstrated in Vienna on Wednesday for better pay and an end to a hiring freeze.
Egypt sends Mursi to trial for international conspiracy
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s public prosecutor charged former President Mohamed Mursi and 35 other top Islamists on Wednesday with conspiring with foreign groups to commit terrorist acts in Egypt, in a case that could result in their execution.
Germany reacts coolly to French request on Central Africa
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany reacted coolly on Wednesday to a French request that European countries step up support for its military mission in Central African Republic, playing down the likelihood of any financial assistance on the eve of an EU summit….
Suicide bomber kills three soldiers in attack on Pakistan checkpoint
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) – A suicide bomb attack on a Pakistani checkpoint in the lawless region of North Waziristan killed at least three soldiers and wounded 32 people on Wednesday, intelligence and militant sources said.
China confirms near miss with U.S. ship in South China Sea
BEIJING (Reuters) – China on Wednesday confirmed an incident between a Chinese naval vessel and a U.S. warship in the South China Sea, after Washington said a U.S. guided missile cruiser had avoided a collision with a Chinese warship maneuvering nearby…
Analysis: Constitutional reforms may see Algeria’s ageing Bouteflika run again
ALGIERS (Reuters) – Eight months after Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika suffered a debilitating stroke, his allies are promoting constitutional changes including a new vice presidency, which may let the ageing independence veteran run for a four…
Berlusconi denied passport, stranded in Italy during Belgian meeting
MILAN (Reuters) – Silvio Berlusconi has lost a legal bid to reclaim his passport, judicial sources told Reuters on Wednesday, leaving the scandal-hit former prime minister stranded in Italy while fellow conservatives travel to a conference near Brussel…
