FROM Japan to the Atlantic, world leaders praised and worried about Ariel Sharon yesterday - a remarkable outpouring for a man not long ago seen as a threat to the Middle East.

Austria refused to drop its objections to Turkey’s bid to become the first predominantly Muslim nation to be a full member of the European Union, forcing EU foreign ministers to suspend crisis talks and resume them later this morning.

European Union foreign ministers were preparing for a last-ditch attempt today to persuade Austria to drop its objections to starting membership negotiations with Turkey.

The number of Swedish tourists missing in Thailand was increased to 3,500 today

SCANDINAVIAN countries are preparing themselves for national tragedies as the realisation dawns that most of the Europeans missing after the south Asian tsunami are from Sweden and Norway.

Rescuers were hoping for “individual miracles” of survival as they combed the beaches and islands of southern Thailand today for missing tourists and locals swept away by earthquake-powered tidal waves.

Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson yesterday appointed a new foreign minister to replace Anna Lindh, who was stabbed to death last month while shopping with a friend in a Stockholm department store.

Prime Minister Goeran Persson today appointed a new foreign minister to replace Anna Lindh, who was stabbed to death last month while shopping with a friend in a Stockholm department store.