Putin to dominate new Russian government

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:28:04 -0400

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will unveil a government dominated by loyalists on Monday, leaving Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev limited scope to pursue his reform agenda and entrenching the Kremlin's grip over the economy's commanding heights.

Blind Chinese activist Chen rests in NYC

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:13:33 -0400

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng soaked up the sun in New York City on Sunday as his children played in a garden, a break in a day of meetings to arrange his studies at New York University.

Lockerbie bomber Megrahi dies in Libya leaving unanswered questions

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:02:24 -0400

TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, the Libyan convicted of the 1988 bombing of a PanAm flight over Lockerbie, died of cancer on Sunday aged 60, leaving many questions on the attack and its aftermath unanswered.

Italy quake kills at least six, damages historic buildings

Sun, 20 May 2012 17:55:13 -0400

SANT' AGOSTINO, Italy (Reuters) - A strong earthquake in northern Italy killed at least six people, injured dozens and damaged historic buildings including a famed mediaeval castle early on Sunday, waking terrified citizens and sending thousands running into the streets.

Analysis: China reformer sees his opportunity after Bo's fall

Mon, 21 May 2012 01:00:54 -0400

SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) - One of China's most conspicuously reform-minded leaders has stepped back into the spotlight after the nation's biggest political convulsion in a generation, positioning himself to gain from the fall of populist politician Bo Xilai.

Two killed, 18 wounded in Beirut clashes: agency

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:32:54 -0400

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Two people were killed and 18 were wounded in overnight clashes in Beirut, Lebanon's National News Agency said on Monday, the latest bloodshed fuelled by tensions over the uprising in neighboring Syria.

Greek leftist brings message to Europe: "Let's talk"

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:18:24 -0400

ATHENS (Reuters) - The charismatic Greek leftist who could determine the fate of the euro begins a tour of European capitals on Monday carrying a single message: it's time to talk.

Serb rightist wins presidency, backs EU path

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:43:55 -0400

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Opposition leader Tomislav Nikolic, last in power when Slobodan Milosevic's Serbia was bombed by NATO in 1999, was elected president on Sunday and pledged to keep the former Yugoslav republic moving towards the European Union.

Ruling party headed for 1st round win in Dominican election

Mon, 21 May 2012 01:33:48 -0400

Santo Domingo (Reuters) - Early results from presidential elections in the Dominican Republic show ruling party candidate Danilo Medina headed for victory 12 years after he lost in a landslide to opposition candidate Hipolito Mejia.

France's "Mr. Normal" stands out in diplomatic debut

Sun, 20 May 2012 17:13:46 -0400

CHICAGO (Reuters) - New French president Francois Hollande likes to style himself as "Mr. Normal," but his sudden debut on the global stage this week has been anything but.