An Italian comic’s serious gains
![An Italian comic’s serious gains](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121002083112im_/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/09/26/Foreign/Images/80427440.jpg)
Rising political movement of
country’s funniest man is making
much of Europe nervous.
Russian activists defy moves by Putin
![Russian activists defy moves by Putin](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121002083112im_/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/09/27/Foreign/Images/Russia_NGO_Law-09e77.jpg)
An 85-year-old woman who withstood the KGB and exile says she intends to prevail in face of new obstacles.
Spain unveils sweeping spending cuts
![Spain unveils sweeping spending cuts](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121002083112im_/http://img3.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/09/27/National-Economy/Images/514073117.jpg)
Officials are silent on bailout, but moves underscore just how hard the country’s road to recovery may be. The measures came after two days of massive anti-austerity protests on the streets of Madrid and renewed separatist efforts in the restive Spanish province of Catalonia.
Hollande’s honeymoon period ends
![Hollande’s honeymoon period ends](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121002083112im_/http://img2.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/09/27/Foreign/Images/UN_General_Assembly_B55D-41D9-AF79-2A309F2DAC88%7D_90N70.JPG-04100-4988.jpg)
French president’s popularity plummets amid austerity cuts and as economy continues to struggle.
Russian billionaire faces charges
![Russian billionaire faces charges](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121002083112im_/http://img2.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/09/26/Web-Resampled/2012-09-26/2012-09-25T122643Z_01_MOS19_RTRIDSP_3_RUSSIA-SUMMIT--90x60.jpg)
Alexander Lebedev, who supports an independent Moscow newspaper, accused of hooliganism after fight.
BBC apologizes to queen for disclosure
![BBC apologizes to queen for disclosure](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121002083112im_/http://img3.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/09/25/Foreign/Images/Britain_Radical_Cleric-0e23d.jpg)
Reporter revealed remarks by monarch on case of radical cleric, breaching presumption of privacy.
Russia’s Gazprom is losing its clout
![Russia’s Gazprom is losing its clout](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121002083112im_/http://www.washingtonpost.com/rw/sites/twpweb/img/blogs/spacer.gif)
Energy giant feels the pressure both at home and abroad; it never expected shale gas competition.
U.S. labeling angers French vintners
![U.S. labeling angers French vintners](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121002083112im_/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/09/23/Foreign/Images/France_Wine_Harvest_0b96e.jpg)
American wineries ask E.U. to drop an import ban on bottles bearing the label “chateau” or “clos.”
Latest Headlines
- Pope's ex-butler to take stand in Vatican leaks trial; confessed but said he wanted to help
- From Albania to Zambia, one nation was on the minds of all others at UN assembly: Syria
- Monument to ex-Azerbaijan leader leaves Mexicans puzzled, angry
- North Korean minister: Hostile US policy pushes Korean peninsula to brink of nuclear war
- Asian stock markets rise on US manufacturing news, but possible downgrade looms for Spain
- Colombia's FARC rebels say peace talks delayed a week; no reason given
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- Syrian minister accuses US, allies of stoking 'terrorism' as fighting continues in Aleppo
- Officials: Top Egyptian security delegation travels to Syria in rare trip
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Elsewhere in World
Asia / Pacific
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Africa
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121002083112im_/http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/africa-86x56.jpg)
- Leader of radical Islamist sect threatens wives of Nigeria leaders, promises more attacks
- Trial resumes in South Africa of Nigerian terror suspect Henry Okah
- Somali troops enter former militant-held port city of Kismayo; Kenyan troop position unclear
- Overhanging pool, wine bar: New wave of hotel rooms coming to Africa with eyes on middle class
Middle East
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121002083112im_/http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/middle-east-86x56.jpg)
- From Albania to Zambia, one nation was on the minds of all others at UN assembly: Syria
- Syrian minister accuses US, allies of stoking 'terrorism' as fighting continues in Aleppo
- Officials: Top Egyptian security delegation travels to Syria in rare trip
- Syrian minister accuses US, allies of stoking 'terrorism' as fighting continues in Aleppo
The Americas
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121002083112im_/http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/americas-86x56.jpg)
National Security
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- Investigators question spending, gifts at VA training conferences in Orlando
- Investigators question spending, gifts at VA training conferences in Orlando, Fla.
- Administration rejects GOP call for UN ambassador to resign over Benghazi attack assessment
- Due to security concerns, FBI will not go into city of Benghazi until it is safe to do so