Police in Austria said Saturday they stepped up security in Vienna and other cities after receiving a warning of possible attacks during the holiday season. “In the lead-up to Christmas, a friendly intelligence service sent a warning to numerous European capitals
Demonstrators ransacked a Muslim prayer hall and set fire to copies of the Koran on the French island of Corsica Friday, police said, in an attack condemned by the government. The violence came on Christmas Day amid heightened security measures
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II used her Christmas address Friday to highlight the triumph of good over evil after a string of attacks in 2015, and to draw attention to the plight of refugees. She delivered her pre-recorded message at Buckingham
As the winter sun sets on Pakistan’s leafy capital Islamabad, residents of the city’s largest Christian slum use bicycles, donkey carts and their backs to haul jerry cans filled with water to their homes. Situated on the capital’s periphery, the
Poland’s Senate approved controversial reforms to the country’s highest court which have triggered protests at home (pictured above) and EU warnings that they could undermine the rule of law, in a overnight session. The bill, which changes current conditions in
French immigration to Israel reached a record high in 2015, Israeli officials said Thursday, citing “physical insecurity and financial uncertainty” as main driving forces. Around 8,000 French Jews were expected to have arrived over the course of the year, a
While the rest of Europe hibernates over the Christmas holiday period, England indulges in an orgy of football, with Boxing Day the highlight of this secular and often maligned tradition. With barely any time to digest the Christmas turkey, teams
The European Union warned eastern European powerhouse Poland to avoid endangering the rule of law with controversial reforms that former president Lech Walesa said undermined democracy and made the country a laughing stock. A European Commission letter — seen Wednesday
An Italian appeals court has upheld the right of a woman to adopt her wife’s biological child, a rights group said Wednesday, in a landmark case for the Catholic country as it weighs civil unions for same-sex couples. The decision
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy suffered a setback in his bid to stay in office as the Socialists refused Wednesday to back his attempt to form a new government following an inconclusive general election. Rajoy’s conservative Popular Party won the
Pope Francis will accept next year’s Charlemagne prize, a prominent annual German award for promoting European values, organisers said Wednesday. The Argentine pontiff will receive the medal at a ceremony in Rome on a date still to be determined, the
(AFP) – The French cabinet backed reform proposals Wednesday that could see the state of emergency called after last month’s Paris attacks enshrined in the constitution. Special policing powers used under the state of emergency — such as house arrests
MOGADISHU (AFP) – Somalia’s government has banned celebrations of Christmas and New Year in the Muslim majority country, saying the festivities might attract Islamist attacks. “All events related to Christmas and New Year celebrations are contrary to Islamic culture, which could
A suspected French extremist carrying cans of chemical mace was caught trying to enter Australia two days after the Paris terror attacks, officials revealed on Wednesday, with security screening of travellers from Europe tightened up. Attorney-General George Brandis said the
An anti-marijuana campaign in Australia featuring a human-sized lumbering stoned sloth acting foolishly has backfired and become the brunt of jokes on social media. Launched this week using the slogan “You’re worse on weed”, it attempts to warn teenagers of
A Frenchman who killed his boss and pinned his severed head to a fence at an industrial gas factory has committed suicide in his jail cell, prison authorities said Wednesday. Yassin Salhi, 35, hanged himself from the bars of his
Refugees will be at the heart of the next Berlin film festival, with hundreds of free tickets for asylum seekers and new movies spotlighting Europe’s historic influx, its director said. Dieter Kosslick told AFP ahead of the 66th edition in
Israel’s government and largest labour union reached an 11th-hour wage deal Wednesday to prevent a paralysing general strike that had threatened to disrupt travel for thousands of pilgrims at Christmas. All members of the Histadrut labour federation — including workers
One year has passed since Germany introduced a national minimum wage, with no evidence so far of the catastrophic economic consequences predicted by its opponents. Nevertheless, a huge influx of refugees, most of whom will initially depend on menial and
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will meet the Socialist leader Wednesday to begin negotiations on forming a new government following the inconclusive weekend election. “Mariano Rajoy and Pedro Sanchez will meet at 12 pm (1100 GMT)… for the first time
(AFP) – A French financial body said Monday it had alerted prosecutors to the “undervalued” assets declaration of far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen and her father Jean-Marie. “There is a serious doubt about the comprehensiveness, accuracy and sincerity
Technology company Apple criticised draft British legislation designed to stiffen surveillance powers on Monday, saying the proposed bill could “spark serious international conflicts”, British media reported. Home Secretary Theresa May said November’s Investigatory Powers Bill would make existing surveillance laws
An extreme-left group has claimed a bombing on Greece’s industry association in Athens last month, police said Monday, the latest in a series of attacks by the urban guerillas on diplomatic, government and economic targets. Police confirmed the “Popular Fighters”
Belgian police have arrested a total of five people including two brothers during a series of arrests in connection with last month’s Paris attacks, prosecutors said Monday. Police arrested the two brothers and a third person in a raid on
Many of the refugees arriving in Germany could initially find it difficult to get a job because of their young age and lack of qualifications, the German central bank or Bundesbank said on Monday. The Bundesbank estimated that the net
