Convicted Berlusconi relinquishes “Knight of Labour” title
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s four-time former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Wednesday relinquished the honorary “Knight of Labour” title that gave him his nickname of “il Cavaliere” in 1977 as he prepares to serve a one-year sentence for tax fraud.
EU pledges action after 1.9 million citizens demand ‘right’ to water
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union’s executive pledged on Wednesday to improve access to clean water across the region, responding to a 1.9-million-strong petition from citizens demanding recognition of their right to water.
Iran, six powers lock horns over nuclear reactor that could yield plutonium
VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran and world powers locked horns on Wednesday over the future of a planned Iranian nuclear reactor that could yield plutonium for bombs as the United States warned “hard work” will be needed to overcome differences when the sides r…
World Bank releases $70 million to help Rwanda combat poverty
KIGALI (Reuters) – The World Bank signed off on a $70 million financing package for Rwanda on Wednesday, the last tranche of a three-year aid program, which will be partly used to make poverty-fighting programs more effective at combating natural disas…
World War One shell kills two workers in Belgium’s Ypres
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – A World War One shell exploded and killed two construction workers in the Belgian town of Ypres on Wednesday, nearly 100 years after the conflict began.
South Africa watchdog: Zuma benefitted from ‘excessive’ $23 million home makeover
PRETORIA (Reuters) – President Jacob Zuma benefitted “unduly” from a $23 million state-funded security upgrade to his home that included a cattle enclosure and amphitheatre, South Africa’s graft watchdog said on Wednesday in a damning report six weeks …
Moscow signals concern for Russians in Estonia
GENEVA (Reuters) – Russia signaled concern on Wednesday at Estonia’s treatment of its large ethnic Russian minority, comparing language policy in the Baltic state with what it said was a call in Ukraine to prevent the use of Russian.
Austrian MPs grill Iranian foreign minister over rights
VIENNA (Reuters) – Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif defended Iran’s human rights record to Austrian members of parliament on Wednesday but acknowledged there was room for improvement, according to people who took part in the meeting.
Venezuela slums shun protests for community work
CARACAS (Reuters) – Opposition activists in the slums of eastern Caracas hope to unseat President Nicolas Maduro, but not by blocking streets or burning tires. They plan to build parks and fix roads to show that the opposition can do more for poor neig…
Crimea vote as worthless as Falklands poll: Argentina president
PARIS (Reuters) – Argentine President Cristina Fernandez, who has been campaigning for the Falkland Islands to become part of Argentina, said last week’s referendum in Crimea was as worthless as a vote held last year over the British territory in the S…
