Greek labor unions to strike over public-sector job cuts
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek workers will walk off the job in a 24-hour general strike next week, unions said on Wednesday, in the first major protest against the government’s latest plan to cut thousands of public-sector jobs to please international lende…
Railway head faces devastated Quebec town, points to train brakes
LAC-MEGANTIC, Quebec (Reuters) – The head of the company whose oil-tanker train exploded and devastated a small Quebec town faced cries of “murderer” from furious town residents on Wednesday and he said the train’s hand brakes were likely not set prope…
South Sudan fails to protect civilians in east, U.S. says
JUBA/KHARTOUM (Reuters) – The United States issued a rare criticism of South Sudan on Wednesday, saying the African state was failing to protect civilians in the east where the army is fighting an insurgency.
Egypt orders arrest of Brotherhood leaders
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s public prosecutor ordered the arrest on Wednesday of the leaders of ousted President Mohamed Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood, charging them with inciting violence in a clash that saw troops shoot dozens of his supporters dead.
Portugal senior party says government remains in office
LISBON (Reuters) – Portugal’s Social Democrats, senior partner in the ruling coalition, said on Wednesday the government remained in power and the party would consider the president’s request to resolve a political crisis through a deal with opposition…
Syria, Iran to run for U.N. Human Rights Council: envoys
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Syria and Iran are planning to run for a spot on the U.N. Human Rights Council later this year, U.N. diplomats told Reuters on Wednesday, despite criticism from watchdog groups about widespread rights abuses in both countries…
Luxembourg spying scandal breaks Juncker government
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday bowed to pressure for an early election after his junior coalition partner blamed him for failing to curb abuses of power by the secret service.
Colombia demands answers on U.S. spying as Latin America seethes
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia called for answers from Washington on Wednesday after revelations the United States had spied on the Andean nation, its closest military ally in Latin America, as anger mounted in the region over U.S. intelligence gathering….
Luxembourg PM says will propose to hold early election
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said on Wednesday he will propose to hold an early election.
Suspected Colombian drug kingpin pleads not guilty in U.S. court
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Alleged Colombian drug kingpin Daniel Barrera made his first appearance in a U.S. court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to conspiring to import cocaine into the United States.