DUBLIN – Most migrants who live illegally in the European Union fly to the 28-nation bloc on valid visas and simply overstay their welcome. But for the poorest and most desperate travelers of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, the journey often takes months by sea or land, with payments …
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HAVANA – Three dissidents were free Thursday after being abruptly released in what a leading human rights advocate said was part of Cuba’s deal with Washington to release 53 members of the island’s political opposition. Neither the Obama administration nor the Cuban government spoke publicly about the releases, adding to …
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YEREVAN, Armenia – The Armenian Defense Ministry says a clash with a group of Azerbaijani gunmen has left two people dead. The ministry said the incident occurred late Sunday when a group of Azerbaijani gunmen tried to cross into Armenia. It said Monday that an Armenian civilian and an Azerbaijani …
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SOFIA, Bulgaria – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is urging Bulgaria to wean itself from its near-total dependence on Russia for energy and calling for the NATO member to boost anti-corruption efforts. In meetings with Bulgaria’s president, prime minister and foreign minister on Thursday in Sofia, U.S. officials said …
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HELSINKI – Denmark’s central bank has decided to cut its key interest rate by 0.15 percentage points to 0.05 percent in anticipation of the European Central Bank’s decision on Thursday which could increase upward pressure on the value of the Scandinavian country’s krone. Danmarks Nationalbank says the rate reduction will …
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DUBLIN – Helen Heaphy’s number came up at the bingo hall. The prize was a trip to court. The 50-year-old grandmother pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of possessing cocaine for sale or supply after Irish police caught her with the narcotic outside a Cork bingo hall. Cork District Court …
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BRUSSELS – Belgium’s finance minister says he sees some room to discuss the “modalities” of the Greek debt program with the other eurozone nations after the election victory of the left-wing Syriza party that seeks an end to painful austerity measures. Johan Van Overtveldt said on the eve of a …
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YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar bird enthusiasts have counted 1,114 bird species including 20 undocumented species between 2010 and 2014 in Myanmar, seven of which are endemic to the country. One of the surveyors, Thet Zaw Naing, said the Great Frigate and the Pied Falconet are among 20 previously undocumented birds …
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KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan official says an attack on a police checkpoint in the southern province of Kandahar has killed five policemen. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack. Zia Durani, the spokesman for the provincial police chief, says the attack happened late on Sunday in Maiwand district …
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HONG KONG – European aircraft maker ATR is in the spotlight again after the dramatic crash Wednesday of a TransAsia Airways turboprop into a river in Taiwan. It’s the second time in seven months that a TransAsia ATR has been involved in a fatal accident. THE COMPANY: Regional aircraft maker …
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