Fillon’s economic shock therapy for France risks side effects
PARIS (Reuters) – On paper, French presidential favorite Francois Fillon’s free-market plans to cut business taxes, relax labor laws and shrink the public sector should give corporate France a shot in the arm and boost economic growth.
Egypt’s parliament regulates NGOs in law activists says is repressive
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s parliament overwhelmingly endorsed a law regulating non-governmental organizations on Tuesday that human rights groups and activists say effectively bans their work and makes it harder for charities to operate.
Britain’s long-time ally Sweden sides with EU on Brexit
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Sweden will side with the rest of the European Union in talks with Britain about leaving the bloc, the Swedish minister for EU affairs and trade said on Tuesday, ending any hope Britain would get any special favor from one of its …
Erdogan says Turkey not yet ‘closed the book’ on EU, but has alternatives
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey has not yet “closed the book” on the EU after the European Parliament recommended freezing accession talks last week, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday, but added that Ankara always has other options.
South Africa’s ANC backs Zuma after calls for him to quit
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s ruling African National Congress said on Tuesday its executive committee stood by President Jacob Zuma in a debate about whether he should step down after several officials called for his resignation.
EU rebuffs UK call for expats’ rights talks before May triggers divorce
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union rebuffed a call from British MPs seeking talks on settling residence rights for European expatriates after Brexit, telling them on Tuesday that negotiations can only start once Britain launches the full-blown div…
Germany braces for rough ride at G20 helm with Trump on board
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany takes over the presidency of the G20 leading economies on Thursday, a platform Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to use to safeguard multilateral cooperation under threat following Donald Trump’s U.S. election victory.
Exclusive: Jailed Islamic State suspects recall path to jihad in Iraq
ERBIL (Reuters) – When Kurdish forces began firing rockets at a suspected Islamic State hideout in northern Iraq, one of those inside, former bakery worker Walid Ismail, said he tried to persuade the others to surrender.
‘Leopard skin’ plan helps Cambodia farmers stay on large land concessions
KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, Cambodia (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Like spots on a leopard’s hide, small wooden houses and tiny fenced plots dot the sprawling Grandis Timber teak plantation in western Cambodia.
Spy chief adds to warnings of Russian cyber attacks on Germany
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s spy chief has warned that Russian hackers are pelting his country with disinformation that could undermine the democratic process, echoing concerns already voiced by his domestic intelligence counterpart.
