Europe
4 dead, including 2 firefighters, in Paris blast
Paris, Jan 12 (AP/UNB) — France's interior minister says that four people have been killed, including two firefighters, and 47 have been injured in the blast at a bakery that was apparently caused by a gas leak in central Paris.
Macedonia approves deal to rename itself North Macedonia
Skopje, Jan 12 (AP/UNB) — Macedonia late Friday fulfilled its part of a historic deal that will pave its way to NATO membership and normalize relations with neighboring Greece, after lawmakers approved constitutional changes to rename the country North Macedonia.
Maduro foe says he's ready to replace the president
Caracas, Jan 12 (AP/UNB) — The head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress said Friday that he is prepared to step into the nation's presidency temporarily to replace Nicolas Maduro, whose inauguration has been rejected as illegitimate by most countries in the hemisphere.
4 on trial over theft of huge gold coin from Berlin museum
Berlin, Jan 10 (AP/UNB) — Four young men have gone on trial over the brazen theft of a 100-kilogram (221-pound) Canadian gold coin from a Berlin museum.
Showdown looms as UK lawmakers clash over May's Brexit deal
London, Jan 9 (AP/UNB)— Britain's government and its lawmakers were set to clash Wednesday, as Prime Minister Theresa May brought her little-loved Brexit deal back to Parliament, a month after postponing a vote on the agreement to stave off near-certain defeat.
Ex-Israeli minister charged of Iran spying to serve 11 years
Jerusalem, Jan 9 (AP/UNB) — A former Israeli government minister charged with spying for archenemy Iran will serve 11 years in prison as part of a plea bargain with authorities, Israel's justice ministry said Wednesday.
UK rules out Brexit extension as May seeks EU help on deal
Brussels, Jan 8 (AP/UNB) — The British government on Tuesday ruled out seeking an extension to the two-year period taking the country out of the European Union as Prime Minister Theresa May continued to seek further concessions from the EU ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote next week on her Brexit deal.
Former pro boxer in custody after assault on French police
Paris, Jan 7 (AP/UNB) — A man identified as a former boxing pro and suspected of viciously attacking riot police officers with his fists and feet during the latest yellow vests protests in France has turned himself in and was placed in custody on Monday, authorities said.
Britain testing 'no-deal' scenario as Brexit vote nears
London, Jan 7 (AP/UNB) — Britain is testing how its motorway and ferry system would handle a no-deal Brexit by sending a stream of trucks from a regional airport to the port of Dover — even as some legislators try to pressure the government to rule out the scenario.
Putin gets to fire cannon at Russian Christmas
Moscow, Jan 7 (AP/UNB) — For Christmas, Vladimir Putin got to do something that many children dream of: fire a really big gun.