France

Men charged over attack

Three young men have been charged with aggravated violence over an attack on Chinese students in southwest France, prosecutors said on Monday. The three men, aged 19 and 20, were in custody after being charged with "aggravated violence" and "using or threatening to use arms", late on Sunday, the Bordeaux prosecutor's office said. French Interior Minister Manuel Valls and Agriculture Minister Stephane Le Foll have condemned the xenophobic attack.

Iran

President vows transparency

Iran's president-elect Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that his country will try to be more " transparent" in its nuclear issue to "build confidence". "The sanctions are problems which Iran faces today and all of us know that they are oppressive," Rouhani said at his first news conference after his election, adding that the use of sanctions in today's world is a "reactionary method and its time has already passed".

Czech Republic

PM to step down over graft

Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas is to formally resign on Monday over a corruption and spying scandal involving his top aide, plunging the recession-hit EU state into fresh political turmoil. The crisis was sparked by the indictment on Friday of Necas's chief of staff - and alleged lover - Jana Nagyova with complicity in the "abuse of power and with bribery".

Turkey

Protesters, police face off

Turkish riot police backed by water cannons faced off with around 1,000 trade union workers in the capital Ankara on Monday, after a weekend of some of the worst clashes since anti-government protests erupted late last month.

Greece

Coalition tries to avoid collapse

Party leaders in Greece's ruling coalition are trying to heal the rift over the closure of the country's state TV and radio broadcaster that is threatening to topple the government and compromise the country's bailout program. Conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is to meet later on Monday with the leaders of two center-left parties in the year-old coalition.

Indonesia

Clashes erupt over fuel hike

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at stone-throwing protesters in Indonesia on Monday, as thousands demonstrated nationwide against the government's plan to increase fuel prices. Several people were injured in the clashes, which came as lawmakers at the national parliament in the capital Jakarta were set to approve budget amendments that will pave the way for the first fuel hike since 2008.

Xinhua-AFP-Reuters

(China Daily 06/18/2013 page11)