Japan PM heads for election victory amid policy concerns
TOKYO (Reuters) – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling bloc looks set for a handsome upper house election win on Sunday, cementing his grip on power and setting the stage for Japan’s first stable government since the charismatic Junichiro Koizumi left of…
Car bombs kill 30 in Shi’ite districts of Baghdad
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Multiple car bombings in predominantly Shi’ite districts of Baghdad killed at least 30 people on Saturday, police and medics said, the latest in a series of attacks that threaten to sink Iraq once again into full-blown sectarian con…
Egypt seeks assertive role, worries about Nile dam
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s new military-backed cabinet made clear on Saturday it wanted to play an assertive role in regional politics, urging Ethiopia to attend talks over a dam on the Nile and stressing it sought change in Syria.
New Egyptian prime minister seeks dialogue, end to divisions
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s interim Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi appealed on Saturday for a return to dialogue between the country’s political parties, still in tumult following the overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.
Egypt’s President issues decree to start work on constitution
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s new president has issued a decree for legal experts to start work amending the country’s constitution, which was suspended this month by the military, the state-run news website of Al-Ahram said on Saturday.
Weakened Chile conservatives pick woman to take on Bachelet
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Chile’s weakened conservative UDI party said on Saturday it has picked Labor Minister Evelyn Matthei as its new candidate in the November presidential election, which is expected to see former president Michelle Bachelet triumph.
Five people sentenced to jail for Costa Concordia disaster
ROME (Reuters) – Four Costa Concordia crew members and a company official were sentenced to jail in Italy on Saturday for their part in the 2012 cruise ship disaster that killed 32 people, leaving only the captain still on trial.
Portugal ruling party vows to meet bailout goals after pact talks fail
LISBON (Reuters) – Portugal’s ruling Social Democrats (PSD) said on Saturday their coalition government would press on with meeting the country’s economic bailout goals after talks on a broader political deal sought by the president collapsed.
Turkish police fire water cannon at Istanbul protesters
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish police fired water cannon on Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters who gathered to march to Gezi Park in central Istanbul, which has been at the heart of fierce demonstrations against Prime Minister Erdogan’s rule.
Navalny embodies generation of rebellious Russians
MOSCOW (Reuters) – In a battle against President Vladimir Putin that has moved from the streets of Moscow to a courtroom, Alexei Navalny has emerged as the figurehead of a new generation of Russian opposition.
