MADRID — Thousands of Spanish farmers on tractors blocked highways and some city streets Friday in a fourth consecutive day of protest against European Union agriculture policies and to demand measures to offset production cost increases, reduced profits and competition from non-EU countries. The actions follow similar ones in France, Poland, Greece and other EU … Read more
HELSINKI — Finns will vote Sunday to elect a new president at an unprecedented time: the Nordic nation is now a NATO member following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and its eastern border with Russia is closed, both almost unthinkable a few years ago. Unlike in most European countries, the president of Finland holds executive power … Read more
MOSCOW — Russia’s top diplomat dismissed the United States proposal to resume a dialogue on nuclear arms control, saying Thursday that it’s impossible while Washington offers military support to Ukraine. Speaking at an annual news conference, Sergey Lavrov accused the West of fueling global security risks by encouraging Ukraine to ramp up strikes on the … Read more
PARIS — France’s new prime minister, Gabriel Attal, held his first Cabinet meeting on Friday with one motto: “work, work, work,” according to President Emmanuel Macron’s office. The newly appointed Attal, 34, the youngest premier in France’s history, leads a relatively small team of 14 ministers who gathered at the presidential palace, the Elysee, around … Read more
BUENOS AIRES — Argentina formally announced Friday that it won’t join the BRICS bloc of developing economies, the latest in a dramatic shift in foreign and economic policy by Argentina’s new far-right populist President Javier Milei. In a letter addressed to the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — all members of … Read more
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Thousands of union members and activists took to the streets of Argentina’s capital Wednesday to protest a decree from President Javier Milei that imposes sweeping deregulation and austerity measures meant to revive the country’s struggling economy. Unions had asked a court for a prior injunction to block measures lifting some labor … Read more
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised what he called achievements and victories that strengthened national power and boosted the country’s prestige this year, as he opened a key political meeting to set new policy goals for 2024, state media reported Wednesday. Experts said that during this week’s year-end plenary meeting … Read more
ATHENS, Greece — Fancy seeing the ancient Acropolis uncluttered by thousands of selfie-snappers? A solution is in the works, but it will set you back up to 5,000 euros ($5,500). Starting April 1 2024, Greece plans to offer exclusive guided tours of its most powerful tourist magnet to handfuls of well-heeled visitors outside normal opening … Read more
NEW DELHI — Anger spread in some remote parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir after three civilians died while in the army’s custody, officials and residents said Saturday. This comes two days after a militant ambush killed four soldiers. Locals said the Indian army detained at least eight civilians on Friday for questioning, a day after rebels … Read more
LONDON — Angola announced Thursday that it’s leaving the OPEC oil producers cartel, coming after it battled with the group over lower production quotas this year. Diamantino de Azevedo, the African nation’s oil minister, said Angola “does not gain anything by remaining in the organization,” according to state news agency Angop. The country joined OPEC … Read more