Paris / AFP Jean-Marc Ayrault, who resigned as French prime minister two years ago to take the blame for a sputtering economy, has been rewarded for his loyalty to embattled President Francois Hollande with the foreign affairs portfolio. Seen as a safe pair of hands but with little diplomatic experience — or charisma —the understated Ayrault, 66, will be expected …

Brussels / AFP NATO launched on Thursday an unprecedented naval mission in the Aegean Sea to tackle people smugglers taking migrants and refugees from the Turkish coast, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday. The move follows a request this week by alliance members Germany, Greece and Turkey for assistance in tackling Europe’s biggest migrant crisis since World War II. …

Bangkok / AFP Thailand’s pro-democracy “Red Shirt” movement will vote against a new junta-scripted charter in a looming referendum, their leader said on Thursday, a move that could deepen the country’s political impasse. The political play comes a day after the military, which seized power two years ago from a civilian government, said it will hold a plebiscite on their …