Analysis: Big poll win for Japan PM Abe’s party could defeat bold economic reform
TOKYO (Reuters) – Will the real Shinzo Abe please stand up?
Armed groups clash in Libyan capital for second day
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – At least two people were killed and 24 wounded in clashes between militias in Libya’s capital on Wednesday, highlighting the rivalries behind heavily armed groups that have plagued the country since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi.
Khodorkovsky supporters rally to mark birthday, arrests reported
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Supporters of jailed ex-oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky gathered in Moscow on Wednesday to mark his fiftieth birthday and one news website reported that 46 people were arrested.
Manila plans air, naval bases at Subic with access for U.S., officials say
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippine military has revived plans to build new air and naval bases at Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base that American forces could use to counter China’s creeping presence in the disputed South China Sea, senior navy offici…
Insight: Kuwaitis campaign privately to arm Syrian rebels
KUWAIT (Reuters) – At a traditional evening meeting known as a “diwaniya”, Kuwaiti men drop banknotes into a box, opening a campaign to arm up to 12,000 anti-government fighters in Syria. A new Mercedes is parked outside to be auctioned off for cash.
French court upholds life term for Carlos the Jackal
PARIS (Reuters) – Carlos the Jackal, once one of the world’s most wanted criminals, lost his appeal of a guilty verdict for deadly bomb attacks in France three decades ago, as a Paris court on Wednesday reaffirmed a life sentence in prison.
Greek militant group claims attack on ruling party base
ATHENS (Reuters) – A newly emerged militant group said it carried out a rifle attack on the headquarters of Greece’s governing New Democracy party earlier this year in protest against cuts imposed by international lenders.
Albanian leader concedes defeat, soothes fears of poll dispute
TIRANA (Reuters) – Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha conceded defeat on Wednesday after losing a parliamentary election at the weekend, ending three days of public silence and soothing fears of a messy handover of power in the volatile NATO country….
Kosovo says now recognized by 100 countries
PRISTINA (Reuters) – Egypt has become the 100th country to recognize Serbia’s former province of Kosovo as independent, the Pristina government said on Wednesday, a milestone for the Balkan country’s pursuit of full international acceptance.
Artist and acclaimed ex-mayor takes on Albania
TIRANA (Reuters) – If outgoing Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha was one of the most resilient leaders of the turbulent Balkans, his successor after a Sunday election is its most colorful.
