Risk of chemical catastrophe if Syria’s Assad goes: UK lawmakers
LONDON (Reuters) – Syria’s huge array of chemical weapons could fall into the hands of militants if President Bashar al-Assad was toppled, with “catastrophic” consequences, according to a report by senior British lawmakers published on Wednesday.
Egypt’s interim rulers name new prosecutor
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s interim authorities named a new prosecutor general on Wednesday, completing a contentious legal process that removed the man appointed by deposed President Mohamed Mursi.
Israel strengthens Syria border with an eye on Hezbollah
BOOSTER MILITARY OUTPOST, Golan Heights (Reuters) – Israel is bolstering its forces on the once-quiet frontier with Syria where it believes Lebanese Hezbollah militants are preparing for the day when they could fight Israel.
Egypt’s Brotherhood looks back, Islamist rivals look ahead
CAIRO (Reuters) – While Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood looks back in anger at its military removal from power, an ultra-orthodox Islamist party is looking forward in hope to replacing it in voters’ favor.
French judges seize Tapie assets in arbitration case
PARIS (Reuters) – Judges have ordered a Mediterranean villa and other assets to be seized from a French businessman at the center of a fraud investigation that could weigh on ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy’s hopes of a comeback, legal sources said.
Czech president swears in cabinet in showdown with parliament
PRAGUE (Reuters) – Czech President Milos Zeman swore in a cabinet led by a longtime ally on Wednesday that faces almost certain rejection by parties in parliament, raising the prospect of prolonged political uncertainty in the central European nation.
Portugal President Cavaco Silva to make statement late Wednesday
LISBON (Reuters) – Portugal’s President Anibal Cavaco Silva will make a televised statement at 3:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday after concluding meetings with political parties and lobby groups to end a political crisis in the ruling coalition, a presidency …
New Czech PM will talk to parties to try win support
PRAGUE (Reuters) – New Czech Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok said on Wednesday he would negotiate with political parties to try to win support for his government in a vote of confidence that could take place around August 8.
Hungary promises teachers 34 percent pay hike, with more to come
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary will raise wages for 150,000 teachers from September by an average 34 percent and give further hikes every year until 2017, a government minister said on Wednesday.
Luxembourg spying scandal threatens Juncker government
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Luxembourg faced the prospect of early elections being called on Wednesday, with a parliamentary debate about a spying scandal threatening to topple long-standing prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker’s ruling coalition.
