Macron’s pensions shake-up to take effect in 2025
A promised pensions overhaul by French President Emmanuel Macron will be introduced in 2025, but workers will retain benefits already accrued under the existing system, said the man liaising between government and unions over the reform.
Kosovo stages second Gay Pride parade under heavy security
Hundreds of people turned out on Wednesday for Kosovo’s second Gay Pride parade under heavy police escort after a party that espouses Islamic values urged the government to scrap the event.
Italians warm to their ‘Mr Nobody’ PM Conte, polls show
When Giuseppe Conte was named prime minister in June, very few Italians had ever heard of him, yet his approval ratings have climbed steadily and he is now the country’s most popular active politician, opinion polls show.
Canadian errors helped prompt Saudi row, says expelled Canada envoy
Canada made mistakes in its dealings with Saudi Arabia which helped spark a diplomatic dispute, the former Canadian ambassador to Riyadh said in frank remarks on Wednesday.
Juncker’s Dutch deputy bids to succeed him as EU chief
Frans Timmermans, the deputy head of the European Union executive, launched a bid to succeed his boss Jean-Claude Juncker next year, saying on Wednesday he would seek to lead the center-left campaign for May’s European Parliament elections.
Trump says he talked to Saudis at highest levels about missing journalist
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he has talked to officials in Saudi Arabia at the highest levels about the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and wants the United States to get to the bottom of the matter.
U.S. officials ask Saudi crown prince about missing journalist: White House
Two White House officials and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to request information about missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the White House said on Wednesday.
Brexit deal next week ‘within reach’: Barnier
A Brexit deal is “within reach” next week, EU negotiator Michel Barnier said on Wednesday, even as he rammed home his insistence that Britain must accept possible checks on trade between its mainland and Northern Ireland.
Belgium charges Iranian diplomat with planning bomb attack
Belgium has charged an Iranian diplomat and three other individuals with planning to bomb a meeting of an exiled Iranian opposition group in France in June, Belgian prosecutors said on Wednesday.
Armenian PM to resign for early election
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Wednesday he would tender his resignation in the coming days in preparation for an early election in December.
