Berlusconi lawyers press supreme court to acquit him of tax fraud
ROME (Reuters) – Lawyers for Silvio Berlusconi asked the supreme court on Wednesday to throw out a tax fraud conviction against the former prime minister in a case that may decide not only his future but that of Italy’s fragile coalition government.
Vatican bank opens website in transparency drive
ROME (Reuters) – The Vatican bank opened its web site www.ior.va on Wednesday as it steps up efforts to improve its tarnished image after a succession of scandals and repeated criticisms of its lack of transparency.
Taliban jailbreak prompts fears of more attacks on Pakistan prisons
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistani authorities moved some of their most notorious militant inmates after an intelligence warning of an imminent jailbreak but a Taliban raid this week has raised fears about the security of all Pakistani prisons.
Czech government to face confidence vote August 7: source
PRAGUE (Reuters) – The Czech parliament will hold a vote of confidence on August 7 in the new leftist cabinet, formed by allies of President Milos Zeman, a parliamentary source said on Wednesday.
Iran grants Syria $3.6 billion credit facility to buy oil products
AMMAN (Reuters) – Syrian authorities and Iran signed a deal this week to activate a $3.6 billion credit facility to buy oil products with long term payment terms, officials and bankers said on Wednesday.
U.S. raises military assistance to the Philippines
MANILA (Reuters) – Washington will raise its military assistance to the Philippines by about two-thirds, Manila’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday, helping its oldest security ally in Asia defend vast maritime borders against what it sees as Chinese …
Serbia avoids early election with deal to oust finance minister
BELGRADE (Reuters) – Serbia averted an early election but risked unnerving foreign investors as the largest party in the coalition government agreed on Wednesday to the sacking of the finance minister.
Zawahri vows al Qaeda to free Guantanamo inmates
DUBAI (Reuters) – Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri slammed U.S. treatment of hunger striking inmates at Guantanamo Bay and said the group would spare no effort to free them, according to an audio recording posted on the Internet on Wednesday.
Bush tucker on the menu with Australian border patrol unit
THE ENGLISH COMPANY’S ISLANDS, Australia (Reuters) – A group of soldiers start to unload from two inflatable boats after a long, bumpy night-time journey off Australia’s northern coast, torches scanning the shoreline for the telltale red eye reflection…
Cambodian PM says ready to talk to opposition after disputed polls
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – Cambodia’s long-serving leader, Hun Sen, said on Wednesday his party was ready to talk to the opposition after both sides claimed victory in Sunday’s general election, talking of the need for compromise but calling himself “prime…
