EU to check whether Polish bill on judges undermines court independence
The European Commission said on Monday it would closely examine whether a new Polish draft law undermines the independence of the judiciary, amid tensions between Brussels and Warsaw over democratic standards.
U.S. imposes sanctions on South Sudan officials for perpetuating conflict
The United States imposed sanctions on two senior South Sudanese officials it accused of fomenting conflict, the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Monday in its latest move to pressure the country’s politicians to form a unity government.
Briton Ian Bailey faces extradition hearing over 1996 murder
An Irish court ordered British journalist Ian Bailey to face an extradition hearing in connection with his conviction in France for murdering a French film producer in Ireland 23 years ago.
Spontaneous protest hounds former Lebanese PM from concert
Outraged concert-goers shouting “revolution, revolution” hounded former Lebanese prime minister Fouad Siniora from a Christmas concert at the American University of Beirut on Sunday night.
Zimbabwe vice president’s wife charged with his attempted murder
The wife of Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was charged with trying to kill her husband when she appeared in court on Monday.
East European mayors urge EU to bypass governments in disbursing funds
The European Union should bypass national governments that flout democratic standards and deal directly with municipalities as they can perform “miracles” in areas such as climate change, the mayors of four eastern European capital cities said on Monda…
Investors seek exhumation of Canadian crypto currency firm founder to ensure it’s him
Lawyers representing users of the Canadian digital platform QuadrigaCX have asked police to exhume the body of its founder, whose sudden death last year trapped millions of dollars in digital currencies in its accounts, to make sure it’s him.
Why should we live like our neighbors? Worker defends France’s retirement age
President Emmanuel Macron’s attempt to make France globally competitive means that Patrick Martine, concierge in a home for the elderly, may have to retire at the age of 63 and four months, not at 62 as he was previously told.
Burglars nab jewelry worth $64 million from British model Tamara Ecclestone
Tamara Ecclestone, the daughter of former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, has had an estimated 50 million pounds ($64 million)-worth of jewelry stolen in an audacious raid from her west London home.
India says 20 crew kidnapped from tanker off West Africa
India’s foreign ministry said on Monday that 20 of its nationals had been kidnapped from an oil tanker in West African waters, where piracy has been on the rise.
