Libyan port city brims with migrants desperate to flee siege
MISRATA, Libya — The man pressed close, patting the pockets of a foreigner, repeating a single word: “Food. Food. Food.”
Militants defy allies on third day of fierce combat
MARJAH, Afghanistan — Ten minutes after walking out of the small outpost on Monday morning, the Marines of K Company were ambushed again.
Accounts Undercut Georgia’s Claims of Russian Provocation
Newly available accounts by independent military observers of the beginning of the war between Georgia and Russia this summer call into question the long-standing Georgian assertion that it was acting defensively against separatist and Russian aggression.
Saakashvili Calls for Election Amidst Rioting, Police Clashes
The president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, on Thursday called for a special presidential election on Jan. 5, saying he would test whether he retained a mandate a day after a police crackdown and clashes with opposition demonstrators led the government to declare a state of emergency.
Georgian President Vows To Rebuild Army, Unite Enclaves
President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia said Sunday that he planned to rebuild his country’s shattered army, and that even after its decisive defeat in the war for control of one of Georgia’s two separatist enclaves he would continue to pursue a policy of uniting both enclaves under the Georgian flag.
Russian Parliament Overwhelmingly Approves Putin As Prime Minister
Russia’s Parliament overwhelmingly confirmed Vladimir V. Putin as prime minister on Thursday, completing his managed departure from the presidency in a manner that left him the country’s dominant politician, with a firm grip on power.
In Independence, Kosovo Finds Mix of Recognition, Rejection
Kosovo won the recognition of the United States and its biggest Western European allies on Monday, while earning rebukes and rejections from Serbia, Russia and a disparate mix of states the world over that face their own separatist movements at home.
Russian President Positions Himself to Be Prime Minister
Vladimir V. Putin, who is constitutionally barred from seeking another consecutive term as president of Russia, announced on Monday that he might become prime minister next year.
Ten Arrested For Assassination Of Prominent Russian Reporter
Russia’s prosecutor general said Monday that 10 people had been arrested in the contract killing of Anna Politkovskaya, the prominent journalist and Kremlin critic. Those arrested included a Chechen crime boss and career officers from the country’s police and intelligence services, he said.
Moscow University Investigates Claims
Moscow State University, one of Russia's most prestigious schools, has opened an investigation into accusations by students that teaching standards and living conditions in one of its academic departments have been severely eroded, students and university officials said in recent days.