Sense of dread as German SPD eyes new Merkel coalition
LEIPZIG, Germany (Reuters) – If you want to know how rank-and-file Social Democrats (SPD) regard the prospect of another ‘grand coalition’ government under Chancellor Angela Merkel, look for the red hedgehog.
China to ease decades-old one-child policy nationwide
BEIJING (Reuters) – China will ease family planning restrictions nationwide, the government said on Friday, allowing millions of families to have two children in the country’s most significant liberalization of its strict one-child policy in about thre…
EU says Spanish controls at Gibraltar border do not break law
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – There is no evidence Spain broke EU law by imposing tight controls at its border with Gibraltar, the European Union executive said on Friday, urging both sides to act to ease bottlenecks that strained relations between London and M…
Far-right parties seek common strategy for EU election
VIENNA (Reuters) – Representatives of far-right parties from five EU nations tried to build a common strategy on Friday for European Parliament elections next May when their anti-immigrant message is expected to bolster their support.
Sri Lanka rights under scrutiny as Commonwealth leaders meet
COLOMBO/JAFFNA, Sri Lanka (Reuters) – Leaders of the Commonwealth of mostly former British colonies met in Colombo on Friday for a biennial summit that has brought with it intense scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s human rights record four years after the civil w…
Twelve migrants drown off Greek coast after boat capsizes
ATHENS (Reuters) – Twelve migrants, including four children, drowned on Friday after their boat capsized just off a Greek island, the coastguard said, adding to the hundreds of deaths this year of people attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing.
With ‘loving kindness’, Myanmar frees 69 political prisoners
YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar released 69 political prisoners on Friday in an amnesty the government described as an act of “loving kindness” in line with President Thein Sein’s promise to free all prisoners of conscience by year-end.
Italy’s Berlusconi struggles to keep party united
ROME (Reuters) – Italian center-right leader Silvio Berlusconi is struggling to control his divided party ahead of a meeting on Saturday that could confirm a deepening split in its ranks and threaten the stability of Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s fragi…
Head of large Chinese developer probed for criminal behavior
BEIJING (Reuters) – The chairman of a large Chinese state-owned development company in southwestern Chengdu is being investigated for unspecified crimes, the company said on Friday, in what could be part of a broader crackdown on corruption in the city…
Israel’s Peres warns against feud with U.S. over Iran
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – President Shimon Peres urged Israelis on Friday to show respect for the United States, seeking to soothe relations with the country’s most powerful ally that have been strained over Iran.
