Hungary opposition aims for autumn pact to oust Orban in 2014
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary’s leftist opposition, aiming to forge a united front to challenge Prime Minister Viktor Orban in an election next year, hopes to agree on a joint candidate by October, former premier Gordon Bajnai said on Friday.
Czech party weighs support for new PM, his chances remain weak
PRAGUE (Reuters) – The Czech Republic’s main center-left party signaled on Friday it might support the new cabinet led by an ally of President Milos Zeman in a vote of confidence due in early August, though the government’s chances of success remain we…
Pope sets up commission to reform Vatican
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis, moving to overcome major crises in the Holy See, on Friday set up a special commission to reform its economic and administrative departments, the Vatican said.
Kurd militants give Turkey ‘final warning’ on peace deal
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Kurdish militants issued what they said was a “final warning” to Turkey on Friday to take concrete steps to advance a peace process aimed at ending a three-decade insurgency, or be responsible for it grinding to a halt.
Nigeria lifts mobile phone blackout in militant stronghold
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Nigeria lifted a mobile phone blackout on the Islamist militant stronghold of Maiduguri on Friday, saying there were signs of improving security after months of blasts and attacks.
Israel indicts Palestinian seized after vanishing in Egypt
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A Palestinian secretly held by Israel after he vanished during a visit to Egypt last month was indicted on terrorism charges on Friday, though Israeli authorities kept a lid on how and where he was detained.
Bulgaria picks new state security boss amid protests
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria’s parliament picked an experienced professional on Friday to head the national security agency, in a move the new Socialist-led cabinet hopes will end daily demonstrations by tens of thousands of anti-graft protesters.
Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy returns home, joins poll campaign
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy returned home from exile on Friday after a royal pardon removed the threat of a jail term and he immediately joined the campaign to unseat long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen in this month’s…
Italy PM urges backing for government in no-confidence vote
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta urged parliament to back his deputy in a no-confidence vote on Friday which threatens to throw his fragile coalition into a political crisis.
Lebanese army says Syria rebels did not kill Assad supporter
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The killing of a well-known supporter of President Bashar al-Assad in Lebanon this week was the result of a marital dispute and not politically motivated as previously reported, a security source and the army said on Friday.
