EU states fail to agree reform of labor rules sought by France’s Macron
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The 28 European Union states failed to agree in a first round of talks on Monday on a reform of the bloc’s labor rules that poorer countries say are essential to uphold fair competition.
End ‘containment’ of asylum-seekers on islands, aid groups tell Greek PM
ATHENS (Reuters) – Over a dozen human rights groups and aid organizations wrote to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday urging him to end the “containment” of asylum seekers in island camps.
Exclusive: EU dismisses smoke regulation, looks into tougher fire safety tests
BRUSSELS/LONDON (Reuters) – There is no need for Europe-wide rules on toxic smoke from building materials, according to a report expected to be signed off by the EU executive over the coming weeks, disappointing campaigners who say regulation is urgent…
Bangladesh says Rohingya arrivals ‘untenable’ as thousands arrive daily
GENEVA (Reuters) – Bangladesh faces an untenable situation because nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees have fled across its border from violence in Myanmar and its government should let them return home, Bangladesh’s U.N. envoy said on Monday.
Catalonia warns of civil disobedience as Madrid readies direct rule
MADRID (Reuters) – Catalonia said on Monday it was confident all officials including police would defy attempts by Madrid to enforce direct rule on the region in a dispute that is raising fears of unrest among Spain’s European allies.
Southeast Asian ministers urge North Korea to rein in weapons programs
CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines (Reuters) – Southeast Asian defense ministers on Monday expressed “grave concern” over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and urged the reclusive country to meet its international obligations and resume communic…
Putin-Trump meeting not yet planned for Asia summit: Kremlin
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin’s diary does not at the moment feature a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at an APEC summit in Vietnam next month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
Bangladesh says Rohingya outflow ‘untenable’, seeks solution
GENEVA (Reuters) – Nearly one million Rohingya refugees who have fled violence in Myanmar are now in Bangladesh, which is an “untenable situation”, Bangladesh told a U.N. meeting on Monday.
Trump’s tougher stance could backfire by boosting Iran’s Guards
ANKARA/LONDON (Reuters) – Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a military force with political clout and an industrial empire, stands to benefit from heightened tension between Washington and Tehran, officials and analysts said.
Russia’s Lavrov says Russia committed to Iraq territorial integrity: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart that Moscow is committed to Iraq’s territorial integrity, RIA news agency reported on Monday.
