Europe
Socialists take office again in Portugal after election win
Lisbon, Oct 26 (AP/UNB) — Portugal's center-left Socialist Party has been sworn in for a second four-year term in government.
Russia calls US move to protect Syrian oil 'banditry'
Moscow, Oct 26 (AP/UNB) — Russia's Defense Ministry is harshly criticizing the United States' decision to send armored vehicles and combat troops into eastern Syria to protect oil fields.
Probe expands into deaths of 39 in truck near British port
London, Oct 25 (AP/UNB) — British police expanded an investigation into one of the country's deadliest cases of human smuggling after 39 people were found dead in a refrigerated container truck near an English port. Essex police said the victims were believed to be from China, though its embassy said their nationalities were still being verified.
UK PM to try for Dec. 12 election
London, Oct 25 (Xinhua/UNB) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday said that he would give MPs more time to debate the new Brexit deal he reached with the European Union as long as they agree to a Dec. 12 general election.
Ukraine's president urges lawmakers to take polygraph test
Kyiv, Oct 23 (AP/UNB) — Ukraine's president on Wednesday urged a group of lawmakers to take a lie detector test to show they are not involved in a widening corruption scandal.
Spanish village gears up for dictator Franco's remains
El Pardo, Oct 23 (AP/UNB) — For visitors wondering why a tranquil cemetery outside Madrid suddenly needs around-the-clock police security, the answer is simple: an empty burial space awaits the remains of Gen. Francisco Franco, who is being reunited with his wife 44 years after he died.
UK prime minister mulls early election over Brexit impasse
London, Oct 23 (AP/UNB) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was weighing Wednesday whether to push for an early election or try again to pass his stalled European Union divorce deal, after Parliament blocked a fast-track plan to approve his Brexit bill before the U.K.'s scheduled departure from the bloc on Oct. 31.
Putin aims to boost Moscow's clout with Russia-Africa summit
Moscow, Oct 23 (AP/UNB) — Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting dozens of leaders of African nations for the first-ever Russia-Africa summit, reflecting Moscow's new push to expand its clout on the continent.
39 people found dead in truck container in southeast England
London, Oct 23 (AP/UNB) — Police in southeastern England said 39 people were found dead Wednesday inside a large cargo truck believed to have come from Bulgaria.
Vatican denies risk of default over structural deficit
Vatican City, Oct 22 (AP/UNB) — A top Vatican administrator is denying the Holy See risks default over its structural deficit, saying claims in a new book about possible financial ruin are overblown.