Venezuela’s Guaido urges more sanctions after German envoy’s expulsion
Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido urged Europe to tighten financial sanctions against the government of Nicolas Maduro after it expelled Germany’s ambassador.
EU states block blacklisting Saudi, Panama over dirty money
The 28 member states of the European Union all backed a decision on Thursday to reject a proposal from the EU executive to add Saudi Arabia to a blacklist of countries suspected of being lax on terrorist financing and money laundering.
Europeans, Canada, Australia issue first rebuke of Saudi Arabia at U.N. rights forum
Three dozen countries, including all 28 EU members, called on Saudi Arabia on Thursday to release 10 activists and cooperate with a U.N.-led investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate.
Britain still hopeful of weekend Brexit breakthrough, says Hunt
Britain’s government is still hopeful it can secure a Brexit breakthrough with the European Union this weekend ahead of a key parliamentary vote on Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal next week, foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Thursday.
Leader of hardline Hindu group in India defends beating of Kashmiris
The leader of a hardline Hindu group in India on Thursday justified the beating of two street vendors from mostly Muslim Kashmir by his members, saying “suspicious” Kashmiris had to be watched after a deadly bombing in the disputed region.
French cardinal found guilty of sex abuse cover-up
A French court convicted the Roman Catholic archbishop of Lyon on Thursday of failing to act on allegations of sexual abuse of boy scouts in his diocese, handing Cardinal Philippe Barbarin a six-month suspended jail sentence.
Lebanon warns neighbors against using disputed territory for EastMed gas pipeline
Lebanon on Thursday warned its Mediterranean neighbors that a planned EastMed gas pipeline from Israel to the European Union must not be allowed to violate its maritime borders.
Lawyers hope refugees’ case against Damascus will be breakthrough
Lawyers representing Syrian refugees in Jordan have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Syria for alleged crimes against humanity in what they hope will be a breakthrough after previous initiatives have failed.
In Catholic Rome Italy’s Mormons get their first temple
The towering white temple stands on Rome’s nondescript outer rim, far from the Vatican, but for Italy’s 25,000 Mormons it is a clear sign that their faith has finally arrived at the historic heart of Christianity.
French cardinal convicted of covering up child sex abuse says he will resign
France’s archbishop of Lyon said on Thursday he would submit his resignation to Pope Francis after he was found guilty of failing to report allegations of sex abuse committed by a priest in his diocese.
