France abandons bid to appoint gay ambassador to Vatican
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday appointed to a different post a diplomat he had originally nominated as ambassador to the Holy See, who media said had been rejected by the Vatican because he was gay.
Turkey launches inquiry into leak of 50 million citizens’ data
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey is investigating how hackers have posted online the identity data of some 50 million Turks, including what they said were details about the president and prime minister, after what is believed to be the biggest data breach s…
Ireland’s Kenny loses vote for prime minister for second time
DUBLIN (Reuters) – Acting Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny again lost a vote in parliament to be re-elected premier on Wednesday, dragging out a political deadlock following inconclusive elections in February.
Karadzic protests ’19th century’ jail conditions, demands release
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, sentenced last month to 40 years in jail for war crimes including the genocide of more than 8,000 Muslims, asked on Wednesday to be released pending his appeal, saying detention was rui…
EU executive proposes stronger common asylum system
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union’s executive on Wednesday proposed strengthening the bloc’s common asylum rules in response to the chaotic arrival of more than a million migrants and refugees last year that has strained EU cohesion.
Belgian PM hits back at foreign critics on security
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Two weeks after Islamic State suicide bombers killed 32 people in Brussels, Belgium’s prime minister acknowledged failures in security over the attacks but forcefully rejected foreign criticism.
Displaced Ukrainians confused, frustrated over suspension of benefits: U.N.
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Ukraine has suspended benefits to more than 600,000 people on suspicion some are falsely claiming allowances meant for internally displaced people, the United Nations said, raising concerns that some IDPs are now u…
Number of anti-Semitic incidents in Austria rises strongly
VIENNA (Reuters) – The number of anti-Semitic incidents reported in Austria increased more than 80 percent last year, with reported internet postings denouncing Jews more than doubling, an Austrian group said on Wednesday.
Greek public sector strike to ground flights, disrupt public services
ATHENS (Reuters) – Flights to and from Athens will be grounded on Thursday and services at tax and municipal offices will be disrupted as state workers walk off the job to protest against pension and tax reforms demanded by Greece’s foreign lenders.
Syrian army and allies launch attack south of Aleppo
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian army and its allies launched a major attack on insurgents south of Aleppo, described as the fiercest government assault in the area since an agreement to ease the fighting came into effect in February.
