New Japanese finance minister seen sticking to policy line

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• New Japanese finance minister seen sticking to policy line
• At least 13 dead in suicide attack on NATO patrol in Afghanistan
• Syrian forces shell rebel strongholds in east Damascus: group
• Georgians cast ballots in pivotal parliamentary vote
• Bahrain court confirms jail terms on protesting medics: BNA
• Supporters cry foul as veteran Cambodia rights activist gets 20 years
• Insight: Azerbaijan eyes aiding Israel against Iran
• In Syrian shadow, Iraq's Maliki juggles Tehran, Washington
• Large part of ancient souk in Syria's Aleppo in ashes: activists
• Venezuela opposition mourns slaying of Capriles activists
• Afghan bomber kills 14, including 3 NATO troops
• Voters in Georgia deciding fate of government
• UN urges protection for elderly as world grays
• Moscow court to hear Pussy Riot appeal
• Japan PM reshuffles his Cabinet to boost support
• Regime bombing of Syrian town kills at least 12
• Wave of bombings across Iraq leaves 26 dead
• Anti-tank mine explodes, kills 6 Cambodian farmers
• Fatal shooting mars Venezuela election campaign
• Capriles leads huge rally in Venezuelan capital

New Japanese finance minister seen sticking to policy line Posted: 01 Oct 2012 12:39 AM PDT TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda appointed as finance minister on Monday a veteran lawmaker expected to follow his line on budget reform and currency intervention in a new cabinet unveiled ahead of an election due in months. Koriki Jojima, 65, who served as the parliamentary affairs chief for the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), will take charge of the world's third largest economy as it teeters on the brink of recession, hurt by a global slowdown and a strong yen. ...

At least 13 dead in suicide attack on NATO patrol in Afghanistan Posted: 01 Oct 2012 12:36 AM PDT KABUL (Reuters) - Three NATO soldiers and an Afghan interpreter were killed, along with at least nine civilians, in a suicide bomb attack on a foot patrol in volatile eastern Khost province on Monday, a NATO spokeswoman and local witnesses said. A witness told Reuters that the blast involved a suicide bomber wearing police uniform, who struck as U.S. soldiers patrolled the city of Khost. A NATO spokeswoman confirmed only that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber. Hospital officials said nine civilians were killed and 61 wounded. ...

Syrian forces shell rebel strongholds in east Damascus: group Posted: 01 Oct 2012 12:06 AM PDT BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian government forces shelled the eastern suburbs of Damascus on Monday and clashed with armed rebels seeking to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, activists and residents said. Residents reported hearing heavy gunfire from around 6 a.m. (11 p.m. EDT on Sunday). They said the capital was shaken by several loud blasts, possibly artillery fire, two hours later. "Every one of them feels like an earthquake," a resident in the central district of Adawi told Reuters in a telephone call punctuated by two loud explosions. ...

Georgians cast ballots in pivotal parliamentary vote Posted: 01 Oct 2012 12:36 AM PDT TBILISI (Reuters) - Georgians queued to vote for a new parliament on Monday in an election that marks the biggest test of President Mikheil Saakashvili's grip on the Caucasus Mountain nation after nearly a decade in power. Saakashvili, a pro-Western leader who swept to the presidency after the bloodless Rose Revolution of 2003 and fought a five-day war with Russia in 2008, hopes to head off a challenge led by Bidzina Ivanishvili. ...

Bahrain court confirms jail terms on protesting medics: BNA Posted: 01 Oct 2012 12:38 AM PDT DUBAI (Reuters) - Bahrain's highest confirmed on Monday jail sentences issued against nine medics convicted for their role in last year's pro-democracy uprising, state news agency BNA reported. The controversial case has drawn international criticism to the U.S.-allied Gulf Arab state, which has been in turmoil since pro-democracy protests led by its Shi'ite Muslim majority erupted last year and were crushed by the Sunni rulers. ...

Supporters cry foul as veteran Cambodia rights activist gets 20 years Posted: 01 Oct 2012 12:27 AM PDT PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - A Cambodian court jailed a 71-year-old radio broadcaster and land-rights campaigner for 20 years on Monday after finding him guilty of leading an anti-state rebellion, a verdict condemned by activists as the latest crackdown on human rights. Three judges in the Phnom Penh court convicted Sonando, who has joint Cambodian-French citizenship, and 13 others of inciting villagers in eastern Kratie province to rebel against the government. ...

Insight: Azerbaijan eyes aiding Israel against Iran Posted: 30 Sep 2012 11:06 PM PDT BAKU (Reuters) - Israel's "go-it-alone" option to attack Iran's nuclear sites has set the Middle East on edge and unsettled its main ally at the height of a U.S. presidential election campaign. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exudes impatience, saying Tehran is barely a year from a "red line" for atomic capacity. Many fellow Israelis, however, fear a unilateral strike, lacking U.S. forces, would fail against such a large and distant enemy. ...

In Syrian shadow, Iraq's Maliki juggles Tehran, Washington Posted: 30 Sep 2012 10:35 PM PDT BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's move to inspect Iranian aircraft flying to Syria may appease the United States but also shows how crisis in Damascus has pushed Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki into an ever more delicate balancing act between his two main allies. When he faced a parliamentary revolt this year, he could count on Tehran to pull strings of influence over restive fellow Shi'ite politicians in Iraq's majority community that saw the Iraqis quickly fall in line again behind the Shi'ite premier. ...

Large part of ancient souk in Syria's Aleppo in ashes: activists Posted: 30 Sep 2012 08:10 AM PDT BEIRUT (Reuters) - Large parts of Aleppo's covered market, the largest of its kind in the world and a UNESCO world heritage site that traces its history back to the 14th century, have been reduced to ashes as government forces and rebels fight for control of the city. The historic market was largely undamaged by earlier fighting in Syria's largest city, but in the early hours of Saturday some of its shops caught fire during clashes in circumstances that remain unclear. ...

Venezuela opposition mourns slaying of Capriles activists Posted: 30 Sep 2012 05:12 PM PDT CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles demanded justice on Sunday for the shooting of three of his activists, while President Hugo Chavez promised to expand his socialist agenda if he wins next weekend's election. With a week to go, Venezuela's presidential race looks close and tensions are rising. On Saturday, gunmen killed three pro-Capriles activists in Barinas state - the worst violence of the campaign. ...

Afghan bomber kills 14, including 3 NATO troops Posted: 01 Oct 2012 12:14 AM PDT A suicide bomber driving a motorcycle packed with explosives rammed his bike into a patrol of Afghan and international forces on Monday morning in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least 14 people, including three NATO service members and their translator, officials said.

Voters in Georgia deciding fate of government Posted: 01 Oct 2012 12:49 AM PDT Voters in Georgia are choosing a new parliament in a heated election Monday that will decide the future of President Mikhail Saakashvili's government.

UN urges protection for elderly as world grays Posted: 01 Oct 2012 12:42 AM PDT The fast aging of Japanese society is evident as soon as one lands at Tokyo's Narita airport and sees who is doing the cleaning. Young people tend to take such menial jobs in other countries, but here they are often held by workers obviously in the second half-century of their lives.

Moscow court to hear Pussy Riot appeal Posted: 01 Oct 2012 12:25 AM PDT A Russian court is set to hear an appeal filed by three jailed members of the rock band Pussy Riot, who have been sentenced to two years for performing a "punk prayer" against President Vladimir Putin at Moscow's main cathedral.

Japan PM reshuffles his Cabinet to boost support Posted: 30 Sep 2012 10:58 PM PDT Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda reshuffled his Cabinet for the third time this year Monday in hopes of boosting flagging public support for his government amid speculation that elections will be called in coming months.

Regime bombing of Syrian town kills at least 12 Posted: 01 Oct 2012 12:49 AM PDT Activists say Syrian troops have bombed a northern town near the Turkish border, killing at least 12 people.

Wave of bombings across Iraq leaves 26 dead Posted: 30 Sep 2012 10:52 AM PDT A series of coordinated bombings shattered Shiite neighborhoods and struck at Iraqi security forces Sunday, killing at least 26 in attacks that one official described as a rallying call by al-Qaida just days after dozens of militants escaped from prison.

Anti-tank mine explodes, kills 6 Cambodian farmers Posted: 01 Oct 2012 12:13 AM PDT Six farmers were killed when their tractor ran over an anti-tank mine left over from Cambodia's 1980s civil war.

Fatal shooting mars Venezuela election campaign Posted: 30 Sep 2012 08:49 PM PDT Supporters of Venezuelan presidential candidate Henrique Capriles had just set out in a caravan of cars for an afternoon of campaigning when they came to a road blocked by a crowd of President Hugo Chavez's loyalists.

Capriles leads huge rally in Venezuelan capital Posted: 30 Sep 2012 08:15 PM PDT A huge crowd filled the streets of Venezuela's capital on Sunday cheering for opposition candidate Henrique Capriles, waving flags in a show of support one week before the country's hotly contested presidential election.

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