Berlusconi says he has yet to decide whether to back Italy government
ROME (Reuters) – Italian center-right leader Silvio Berlusconi said on Wednesday that he has yet to decide whether he will support Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s government in a parliamentary confidence vote.
Mining magnate to share balance of power in Australian parliament
CANBERRA (Reuters) – Outspoken mining magnate Clive Palmer is set to play a key role in Australia’s new parliament after his start-up party won a third upper house seat on Wednesday, giving him the power to block or pass laws.
Thai woman jailed for five years for anti-royal web post
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A Thai court jailed a woman for five years on Wednesday for posting online comments insulting to the monarchy, the second ruling of its kind this week under tough lese-majeste laws carrying penalties activists say are too harsh.
Bulgarian government survives no-confidence vote
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria’s parliament rejected on Wednesday the first no-confidence motion against the Socialist-led government over its investment policies to try to end a political standoff that has paralyzed decision-making.
South Korea, U.S. sign new pact to deter North Korea nuclear threat
SEOUL (Reuters) – The United States and South Korea signed a new pact to deter North Korea’s potential use of nuclear arms and other weapons of mass destruction amid growing threats from Pyongyang, their defense chiefs said on Wednesday.
President Obama cancels official visit to Malaysia after U.S. government shutdown: media
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama has canceled an official trip to Malaysia next week after the U.S. government went into a shutdown, Malaysian media quoted Prime Minister Najib Razak as saying on Wednesday.
CORRECTED-Myanmar to get more profit from controversial Chinese-backed mine
YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar has signed a revised contract that increases its share of the profits from a controversial Chinese-backed copper mine, the country’s largest, officials said.
Netanyahu at U.N.: Don’t trust Rouhani, Iran’s overtures a ruse
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dismissed a charm offensive by Iran’s new president as a ruse concocted by a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” and declared that Israel was ready to stand alone to deny Tehran an…
Britain’s Cameron casts election as battle over free markets
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday will cast a national election in 2015 as a choice between his “pro-business” ruling Conservative party and what he calls its anti-business socialist rivals.
Ecuador arrests retired officers for suspected crimes against humanity
QUITO (Reuters) – A judge in Ecuador ordered the arrest of three retired senior military officers on Tuesday and the house arrest of seven more on charges of committing crimes against humanity almost 30 years ago.
