Europe
Merkel defends Iran deal, multilateralism but Pence resists
Munich, Feb 17 (AP/UNB) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel drew lengthy applause Saturday for her spirited defense of a multilateral approach to global affairs and support for Europe's decision to stand by a nuclear deal with Iran.
Australia to reopen island detention camp after refugee bill
Canberra, Feb 13 (AP/UNB) — The Australian government said Wednesday it would reopen a mothballed island detention camp in anticipation of a new wave of asylum seekers arriving by boat after Parliament passed legislation that would give sick asylum seekers easier access to mainland hospitals.
Israeli leader hopes summit brings Arab ties out in the open
Warsaw, Feb 13 (AP/UNB) — The Mideast conference in Poland starting Wednesday offers Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an opportunity to flaunt in public what he has long boasted about happening behind the scenes — his country's improved relations with some Gulf Arab nations.
Trudeau cabinet minister resigns amid controversy
Toronto, Feb 13 (AP/UNB) — Canada's former justice minister announced Tuesday that she was quitting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Cabinet — a move that follows allegations Trudeau's office pressured her to avoid prosecuting a major Canadian engineering firm.
Italy slams EU for lack of solidarity, but faulted for same
Rome, Feb 13 (AP/UNB) — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte demanded "authentic" solidarity from Italy's European Union partners on the issue of migrants Tuesday, but drew sharp barbs himself from EU lawmakers for refusing to join a united European stand on Venezuela and over Italy's nasty spat with France.
Trial of Catalan separatists begins in Madrid amid protests
Madrid, Feb 13 (AP/UNB) — A politically charged trial of a dozen Catalan separatist leaders began Tuesday in Spain's Supreme Court amid protests and the possibility of an early general election being called in the country.
Thousands join right-wing rally in Madrid, demand PM resign
Spain, Feb 11 (AP/UNB) — Tens of thousands of people joined a right-wing rally in Spain's capital Sunday to demand that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez step down for his handling of the Catalonia region's secession crisis.
Lessons for Brexit from Norway's hard border with Sweden
Orje, Feb 10 (AP/UNB) — With fresh snow crunching under their boots and a handful of papers to be checked and stamped, truck drivers from Latvia, Sweden and Poland make their way across Norway's Orje customs station to a small office where their goods will be cleared out of the European Union and into Norway.
Taliban: Half of US troops to leave Afghanistan by May 1
Moscow, , Feb 7 (AP/UNB) — A Taliban official said Wednesday that the United States has promised to withdraw half of its troops from Afghanistan by the end of April, but the U.S. military said it has received no orders to begin packing up.
UK prime minister vows no return to hard border with Ireland
London, Feb 6 (AP/UNB) — British Prime Minister Theresa May told business leaders in Northern Ireland on Tuesday that she is seeking changes to the U.K.'s withdrawal agreement with the European Union, but not the total removal of the Irish border provision that is the most contentious part of the deal.