Briefly

RUSSIA

Opposition leaders form coalition

MOSCOW | Some of Russia’s prominent opposition leaders have formed a coalition to challenge the rule of President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Former Deputy Premier Boris Nemtsov says the coalition will fight to overcome the current election law, which he calls repressive.

The law requires parties to get at least 7 percent of the nationwide vote to get seats in parliament, a barrier opposition groups say effectively shuts them out.

Russia’s liberal opposition forces have been fractured, but Mr. Nemtsov said Thursday the coalition aims to compete in next year’s parliamentary elections and field a presidential candidate in 2012.

EUROPEAN UNION

Expulsions of Gypsies dominate summit

BRUSSELS | The European Union’s justice commissioner insists she may take France to court over Gypsy expulsions as Paris vigorously defended its controversial policy, dashing hopes at an EU summit Thursday that leaders would be able to showcase a continent united.

Justice Commissioner Vivane Reding’s expression of regret over an outburst Tuesday comparing the expulsions to World War II deportations did little to defuse tensions at the summit, whose aim of forging a common EU front on the global stage has been hijacked by the Roma dispute.

SOUTH AFRICA

Hospital charged in organ trafficking

JOHANNESBURG | A major South African hospital chain and its chief executive have been charged after years of investigation into a human organ trafficking case that stretched from Israel to South Africa to Brazil, hospital officials and police said Thursday.

A police spokesman said 11 suspects were ordered to appear in court in November.

CAMBODIA

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