My Blog My WordPress Blog

DUBLIN – A top Irish court has ruled a key plank of the country’s anti-narcotics laws illegal, temporarily legalizing the possession of many street stimulants and hallucinogens. The government scrambled to close the surprise loophole Tuesday with an emergency late-night bill. Health Minister Leo Varadkar said the government hoped its …

BRUSSELS – The North Atlantic island of Iceland has withdrawn its bid to join the European Union, with the government saying that its interests are best served outside the 28-nation EU. EU spokesperson Maja Kocijancic said Friday that the bloc would “fully respect such a decision,” and underlined that Iceland …

BANGKOK – Human rights groups are calling on Thai authorities to drop charges against four activists who expressed dissent against the country’s military rulers and are now being tried in a military court. Human Rights Watch said Tuesday that the junta should stop prosecuting peaceful critics in the military courts, …