U.S. envoy visits Beirut, mediating in Lebanon-Israel dispute
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A senior U.S. diplomat met Lebanese officials on Wednesday in Beirut as part of a U.S. shuttle diplomacy effort to resolve tensions between Israel and Lebanon over a border wall and energy drilling in disputed waters.
More than 90 Nigerian schoolgirls missing after Boko Haram attack: sources
BAUCHI, Nigeria (Reuters) – More than 90 Nigerian schoolgirls are feared missing after Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram attacked a village in the northeastern state of Yobe, two sources told Reuters on Wednesday.
Bodies recovered from Iran plane crash site
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The bodies of seven victims of Sunday’s air crash in Iran were brought down from the mountainous crash site on Wednesday, according to Mizan, the official news site of the Iranian judiciary.
Brazil Senate gives final approval to Rio security intervention
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s Senate gave final approval late on Tuesday to a measure that authorizes the federal government to intervene in security in the crime-plagued state of Rio de Janeiro through the end of 2018.
Stakes rise in Turkey’s Afrin assault as pro-Assad militia arrive
BEIRUT/ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey warned on Wednesday that pro-Damascus forces would face “serious consequences” for entering Syria’s Afrin region to help Kurdish fighters repel a Turkish offensive.
Polish minister sees ‘catharsis’ in new Holocaust law
WARSAW (Reuters) – Patryk Jaki, the politician behind Poland’s new Holocaust law, wants to end what he calls a misleading culture of shame surrounding his country’s treatment of Jews in World War Two.
Confidant of Israel’s Netanyahu turns state witness in corruption case: media
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A confidant of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to turn state’s witness in one of several corruption investigations posing a serious threat to the conservative leader’s political survival, local media said.
Top aide of EU Commission head becomes chief civil servant
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Commission appointed on Wednesday the head of President Jean-Claude Juncker’s cabinet, Martin Selmayr, as the new Secretary-General of the Commission — the highest civil servant job in the EU executive.
Hard Brexit faction in May’s party demands clean break from EU
LONDON (Reuters) – More than 60 Conservative lawmakers have written to Theresa May demanding a quick, clean break from the European Union, adding pressure on the prime minister before her ministers meet to decide Britain’s negotiating position.
South Africa’s parliament to launch inquiry into mines minister Zwane
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s parliament will launch an investigation into allegations of influence-peddling against mines minister Mosebenzi Zwane, its oversight committee on mineral resources department said on Wednesday.
