Paris concert hall the Bataclan reopens one year after terror attack

The Bataclan, the Parisian music hall where 90 people were killed in a terrorist attack a year ago, reopened Saturday with a concert by Sting that served as a memorial to the dead.

Year After November Attacks, Paris Is a Fearful, Scarred City

The plaque for the victims is secured on the concrete wall across from the Bistrot des Oies, waiting to be unveiled Sunday. But already restaurant owner Stephane Dantier doesn't like it.

France : la maire de Lille annule la grande braderie de septembre pour raisons de sécurité

La maire de Lille a annoncé, vendredi, l'annulation de la grande braderie, l'un des plus grands rassemblements annuels en France qui se tient en septembre, en raison des risques d'attentats. Le syndicat de l’hôtellerie craint "un drame économique".

Francis warns of 'social emergency' after Rome clashes

Pope Francis warned today of a "social emergency" after violent protests against a migrant reception centre in Rome highlighted growing social tensions in disadvantaged areas of the Italian capital.

Russian foreign minister says he hopes wisdom will get upper hand in Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday he did not think it is worth to attach too much significance to Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko’s public pronouncements, since passions are running high ahead of the parliamentary elections.
“Whatever we might think about the developments before the presidential elections in May, Poroshenko is the elected president of Ukraine. He is recognized in this capacity by all,” Lavrov said in an interview with Russia’s NTV television channel. “Russian President Vladimir Putin maintains regular dialogue with him. They have met each other personally at various events. They have active and fruitful telephone contacts.”

Harvard Study Shows Russian-speaking Ukrainians Backing Kyiv

A new study conducted at Harvard University suggests that Russian-speaking Ukrainians may be significantly more supportive of Kyiv’s standoff against Moscow and the pro-Russian separatists than has previously been reported.
The study, authored by researcher Bruce Etling at Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society, is one of the first serious explorations of Russian, Ukrainian and English language social media content regarding the turmoil there over the last eleven months.

New app designed to diagnose depression aims to curb China’s suicide rate (Driven to the edge)

Police officers attempt to persuade a woman out of jumping from a building in Beijing on June 23. Photo: CFP....
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Suicide remains an alarming social issue in China, which had suffered from one of highest suicide rates in the 1990s worldwide.

China reported 23.2 suicides for every 100,000 people annually from 1995 to 1999, equating to an estimated 250,000 deaths every year.

Independence leader says Scotland will make history

The eyes of the world are on Scotland's referendum, pro-independence leader Alex Salmond said Thursday as a top bank warned it would re-register in England if the separatists win.

Salmond said the run-up to the September 18 vote was "a process of national empowerment" and promised an independent Scotland would be a "fairer, more profitable" society.

Samaras hopes more Chinese investment...

Watch Video CCTV

by CCTV reporter Wang Xinye
 
Amid a continuing financial crisis at home, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras began his four-day visit to China on Thursday. 

Samaras is here to encourage Chinese investment in his country and the signing of numerous agreements with China seemed to reflect that hope. 

The second EU leader to visit China after the leadership transition in the country, on the invitation of the Premier Li Keqiang, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras started his official visit to China on Thursday.

Greek PM attends premiere of CCTV documentary "Glamorous Greece"

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The Prime Minister of Greece, Antonis Samaras, has attended the premiere of the CCTV documentary "Glamorous Greece" during his visit in China.

Samaras said both China and Greece had proud ancient civilizations and hoped the documentary would enhance understanding and communication between their peoples. Greek Tourism Minister, Olga Kefalogianni, has expressed Greece’s hope that more Chinese tourists and investment will be attracted to Greece.

George Soros: To survive, Europe must recapture spirit of solidarity

"Europe has become divided into two classes – depressed debtors like Greece and controlling creditors like Germany. To reverse this, Europe must recapture its spirit of solidarity. A good place to start is where suffering is greatest, in Greece, among thousands of mistreated migrants."

Berlin

The European Union used to be what psychologists call a “fantastic object,” a desirable goal that fires people’s imagination. I saw it as the embodiment of an open society – an association of nations that gave up part of their sovereignty for the common good and formed a union in which no nation would have a dominant position.
The euro crisis is now threatening to turn the European Union into something fundamentally different. The member countries are divided into two classes – creditors and debtors – with the creditors in charge.