EU executive proposes tighter lobbying rules
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Commission proposed tightening rules on lobbying on Wednesday to oblige more EU officials, legislators and diplomats to restrict access only to lobbyists who register and abide by a code of conduct.
Professor arrives in Rwanda from U.S. to face genocide trial
KIGALI (Reuters) – A professor arrived back in Rwanda on Wednesday after being extradited from the United States to stand trial for his part in the country’s 1994 genocide, a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office said.
Italy’s Renzi pledges funds for higher pensions, earlier retirement
ROME (Reuters) – Italy will set aside 6 billion euros ($6.73 billion) over the next three years to increase pensions and allow people to retire earlier, the welfare minister said on Wednesday, rowing back on a pension reform passed in 2012.
Cuba welcomes ambassador nomination but says Obama can do more
HAVANA (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s nomination of an ambassador to Cuba is welcome but he should still do more to normalize relations between the two countries during his remaining time in office, a senior Cuban government official said on Wedn…
Bulgaria announces new candidate Georgieva for U.N. leadership race
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria nominated its European commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva, on Wednesday for the post of United Nations Secretary-General and withdrew support from its previous candidate Irina Bokova.
South Asia summit uncertain as India, others pull out in snub to Pakistan
KATHMANDU (Reuters) – A summit of South Asian leaders set for Islamabad in November may be called off as several countries have decided not to attend amid rising tension between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, officials said on Wednesday.
Catalonia to hold independence referendum with or without Spain’s consent
MADRID (Reuters) – Catalonia will hold a referendum on independence from Spain next year whether or not the central government in Madrid agrees to one, the region’s head Carles Puigdemont said on Wednesday.
Sarkozy slips in French Republican presidential race
PARIS (Reuters) – Nicolas Sarkozy has lost ground against his main conservative rival in the race for France’s Republican party presidential nomination, two polls showed on Wednesday, hurt by legal and political setbacks.
Taliban leaders watched U.S. presidential debate, blast ‘non-serious’ Trump
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) – Taliban leaders followed the U.S. presidential debate closely but heard nothing on Afghanistan, a spokesman said on Wednesday, adding that they were not impressed by Republican candidate Donald Trump, whom they considered…
Putin faces dilemma after vote win: How to prolong a system based on himself
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Vladimir Putin appears politically invincible after Russia’s ruling party won its biggest ever parliamentary majority this month. But he faces an increasingly pressing dilemma: How best to ensure the survival of a system built around…
