Russian envoy: 2 Russian diplomats to lose accreditation to alliance headquarters

BRUSSELS — A day after NATO and Russia closed their diplomatic rift over last year’s war in Georgia, the alliance kicked out two Russian diplomats in apparent retaliation for a spy case that rekindled memories of the Cold War.

Russia’s NATO envoy says 2 Russian diplomats to be expelled from alliance for allegedly spying

BRUSSELS — Russia’s NATO envoy says two Russian diplomats will be expelled from the military alliance for alleged spying.

Fortis shareholders give final approval to sale of Belgium’s largest bank to BNP Paribas

UTRECHT, Netherlands — Fortis Holding shareholders gave the final go-ahead Wednesday for the sale of Belgium’s largest bank to France’s BNP Paribas, in a deal that makes Paribas the largest bank in the euro zone by deposits.

Fortis shareholders vote in favor of selling Belgium’s largest bank to BNP Paribas

GHENT, Belgium — Fortis Holding shareholders have voted in favor of selling Belgium’s largest bank to France’s BNP Paribas.

EU says international conference has already pledged over $250 million for Somalia

BRUSSELS — International donors pledged more than $250 million Thursday to help Somalia strengthen its security forces and try to stop the rampant pirate attacks that have plagued one of the world’s most important waterways.

International donors’ conference seeks to boost Somalia’s security forces to help stem piracy

BRUSSELS — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told international donors Thursday that more aid was vital to help Somalia’s new government fight rampant piracy on the high seas and provide more security on the ground to end two generations of anarchy that has turned the east African nation into a global threat.

Head of Anheuser-Busch InBev in China resigns, cites personal reasons

BRUSSELS — The head of brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev in China has resigned, the world’s largest brewer said Wednesday.

French commandos turn over 11 pirate prisoners for trial in Kenya

MOMBASA, Kenya — Masked French commandos marched a band of barefoot, glum-looking pirate suspects down the gangplank of a naval frigate Wednesday in Mombasa before turning the 11 Somali men over to Kenyan authorities.

Davide Rebellin of Italy wins Walloon Arrow cycling classic for the 3rd time

HUY, Belgium — Davide Rebellin of Italy has won the Walloon Arrow classic for the third time, beating Andy Schleck of Luxembourg in the uphill sprint to the finish.

70 percent of Taliban fighting only for money in Afghanistan: Biden

BRUSSELS - United States Vice President Joe Biden has claimed that at least 70 percent of Taliban guerrillas in Afghanistan are mercenaries fighting only for money.