Le Pen as President? France thinks the unthinkable
PARIS (Reuters) – The victory of France’s far-right National Front in EU elections and the disarray of its two main parties has the French asking themselves an awkward question: could its leader Marine Le Pen be their next president?
Ukraine’s empty seat at table darkens party for Putin’s new ex-Soviet bloc
ASTANA (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Kazakhstan and Belarus on Thursday into a new Eurasian Economic Union built to rival the United States, EU and China – but the absence of Ukraine undermined his dream of restoring Soviet glor…
Hungarian PM Orban keeps most of cabinet intact: MTI
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has kept most of his cabinet intact after winning re-election last month, national MTI news agency said on Thursday.
Thai junta says ‘right conditions’ needed before polls
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s military rulers held out little hope for early elections on Thursday, a week after the army seized power, saying conditions had to be right and divisions healed before there could be a return to civilian rule.
Kosovo’s ambassador to Albania cleared of beating women during war
PRISTINA (Reuters) – Kosovo’s ambassador to neighboring Albania was cleared on Thursday of war crimes over the alleged beating and torture of two women during a 1998-99 war in the former Serbian province.
EU must be seen to protect ordinary people: Van Rompuy
BERLIN (Reuters) – The European Union needs to be seen to protect ordinary people and not just promote the interests of business and of a mobile, multilingual elite to regain citizens’ trust, the chairman of EU summits said on Thursday.
China orders tech ministry to self-report corruption
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s top anti-corruption body said employees at the country’s internet regulator must adopt a “zero tolerance” policy toward corrupt employees, as Beijing expands a crackdown on pervasive graft.
Abbas designates PM to head new Palestinian unity cabinet
RAMALLAH West Bank (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday asked Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah to head a new national unity government which will bring together the feuding Hamas and Fatah parties.
Hungary’s Socialist leader quits after crushing poll defeats
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungarian Socialist party Chairman Attila Mesterhazy resigned on Thursday, paying the price for crushing election defeats in a move likely to reinforce Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s already strong hold on power.
Iran plans June launch of plant for curbing low-grade uranium stash: diplomats
VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran is planning to start up a plant in June that will convert low-enriched uranium gas into an oxide form less suitable for making nuclear bombs, as required by a landmark deal with world powers, diplomats said.
