Moroccan lawmakers on Monday voted unanimously to review ties with the European Parliament, accusing it of meddling after a resolution that urged the kingdom to respect press freedom.. European lawmakers in Strasbourg had urged Morocco to "respect freedom of expression and media freedom" and to "guarantee imprisoned journalists... a fair trial".
Under the terms of a plea deal struck with Belgian investigators, former Italian lawmaker Pier Antonio Panzeri has begun to spill the beans in the graft scandal rocking the European Parliament. . The scandal erupted in December when Belgian police raided several homes and offices connected to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), former MEPs and staff, making four arrests.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden on Monday that it should not expect his backing to join NATO following the burning of the Koran outside Ankara's embassy in Stockholm.. "It is clear that those who caused such a disgrace in front of our country's embassy can no longer expect any benevolence from us regarding their application for NATO membership," Erdogan said.
The Burkina Faso government confirmed Monday that it has asked ex-colonial ruler France to pull its troops out of the insurgency-hit country within a month, but Paris called for clarification from coup leader Ibrahim Traore himself.. Several sources said Paris was seeking confirmation from Traore because the Burkina government is divided over whether to keep French troops in the country.
Kuwait's government resigned on Monday three months after it was sworn in, state media reported, following disputes with lawmakers that have plunged the oil-rich Gulf state into political paralysis.. Lawmakers had been pressing the government to approve the bill that ministers argued would be a heavy cost to the state.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden on Monday that it should not expect his backing to join NATO following the burning of the Koran outside Ankara's embassy in Stockholm.. "It is clear that those who caused such a disgrace in front of our country's embassy can no longer expect any benevolence from us regarding their application for NATO membership," Erdogan said.
A once-powerful Mexican government minister "betrayed" his country by engaging in the very drug trafficking he was in charge of stopping, US prosecutors told his trial Monday.. "He is a man who betrayed his country and ours," added the prosecutor, as the 54-year-old Garcia Luna looked on from the dock, sometimes blowing kisses to his wife and daughter.
A German went on trial in Spain on Monday for allegedly running a chapter of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang on the holiday island of Mallorca that was involved in prostitution, drug trafficking and other organised crime.. Spanish prosecutors accuse Hanebuth of founding the Hells Angel chapter in Mallorca and then appointing its members, who are suspected of crimes including pimping, extortion, drug trafficking and acquiring illegal firearms.
Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires on Monday as he began a first foreign trip since his election by meeting with Argentine counterpart Alberto Fernandez.. Lula, 77, arrived at the Casa Rosada in central Buenos Aires at 11:00 am accompanied by his wife Rosangela da Silva.
The 73rd Berlinale, Europe's first major film festival of the year, starts next month with new movies from around the world screening in the main showcase.. Fifteen of the features in the main showcase are world premieres and one is a feature debut.
