Atlantia suspends payout to ex-CEO Castellucci over bridge probe
Italian infrastructure group Atlantia has suspended part of a 13 million euro ($14 million) severance payout to former Chief Executive Giovanni Castellucci over issues arising from investigations being carried out by judicial authorities.
Spain pledges funds for asylum seekers as Latin American arrivals spike
The Spanish government on Friday authorized nearly 150 million euros ($165 million) in subsidies to ease the strain on its migrant-processing system after a recent spike in arrivals from Latin America overwhelmed its social services.
Fallen hero of Austria’s far right mentions comeback as party expels him
Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO) expelled its scandal-hit leader Heinz-Christian Strache on Friday and he said he was considering a political comeback next year, fuelling speculation of a split.
Poland sees limited room for Russia diplomacy, despite Macron overtures
Poland sees limited room for diplomacy and dialogue with Russia, a senior Polish official said, despite attempts by French President Emmanuel Macron to persuade Warsaw to rethink its relationship with Moscow.
In face of U.S. opposition, U.N. renews agency helping Palestinian refugees
The United Nations General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly renewed the mandate for a U.N. agency supporting Palestinian refugees for another three years amid misconduct allegations and a cash shortfall triggered by a halt in U.S. funding.
EU leaves Poland out of 2050 climate deal after standoff
The European Union left Poland out of a 2050 climate neutrality agreement on Friday after hours of summit haggling with three poorer eastern member states that demanded more funds for economic transition and support for nuclear power.
Ruling on Irish extradition over UK truck deaths set for Jan 24
Ireland’s High Court will decide on Jan. 24 whether to approve the extradition of a Northern Irish man to Britain to face charges of manslaughter over the deaths of 39 Vietnamese people found in the back of a truck near London in October.
‘Seriously, Finland?’ Red-faced minister deletes Instagram poll
Finland’s finance minister deleted an Instagram post and issued an apology on Friday after criticism by a human rights group that embarrassed the new, women-led government days after it took office.
Ex-premier elected Algerian president; thousands march in protest
A former prime minister was elected Algeria’s new president in a vote the authorities hope will end months of turmoil, but protesters who toppled his predecessor marched again on Friday, vowing their movement would not stop.
PM Johnson urges ‘healing’ for Brexit-bound Britain
Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Britain to “let the healing begin” in a speech outside 10 Downing Street on Friday after securing a landslide victory in a divisive national election.
