High stakes for Putin as his Olympic dream nears
SOCHI/MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has staked his personal and political prestige on February’s Winter Olympics in the city of Sochi, yet despite the $50-billion price tag the Games could still be an embarrassing flop.
Veteran Tajik leader to seek new 7-year term in November 6 vote
DUSHANBE (Reuters) – Tajikistan’s longtime President Imomali Rakhmon registered on Wednesday to run for a new seven-year term in a November 6 election that would extend his rule to nearly three decades.
Iran and world powers must build confidence: Larijani
GENEVA (Reuters) – Iran and world powers should focus on confidence-building at next week’s talks on Tehran’s disputed nuclear program, Iran’s parliamentary speaker said on Wednesday.
China’s Bo Xilai allowed to appeal against life in jail
BEIJING (Reuters) – A court in eastern China on Wednesday allowed ousted former senior politician Bo Xilai to appeal against a guilty verdict on charges of corruption and abuse of power handed out last month which earned him a life sentence.
International observers denounce Guinea voting flaws
CONAKRY (Reuters) – International observers have denounced voting flaws in Guinea’s parliamentary election, saying they may undermine the results of a poll meant to seal the transition of the mineral-rich West African nation to democracy.
In Pakistan’s Pashtun tribal belt, Taliban reject peace talks
WAZIRISTAN, Pakistan (Reuters) – The Pakistani Taliban envoy drew his white trousers up before settling on the floor of a mud-walled house in Pakistan’s ethnic Pashtun tribal region near the Afghan border.
Insight: Violent raid exposes risks for investors in Russia
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Workmen cut the door from its frame, allowing a dozen men in balaclavas and hoods to enter a Moscow restaurant.
Isolated Hamas faces money crisis in Gaza Strip
GAZA (Reuters) – Hamas is struggling to meet its payroll in the Gaza Strip, where income from taxes has been badly hit since neighboring Egypt started destroying a network of tunnels used to smuggle food, fuel and weapons into the Islamist-run enclave….
Dramatic letter details Australian outlaw Ned Kelly’s capture
SYDNEY (Reuters) – A 133-year-old letter has given the first civilian account of the capture of Ned Kelly, Australia’s most famous outlaw, and will go on public display for the first time on Monday.
Taiwan says China could launch successful invasion by 2020
TAIPEI (Reuters) – China will be able to fend off U.S. forces and successfully invade Taiwan by 2020, the island’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday, the first time Taipei has given such a precise timetable for the threat it says it faces.
