In challenge to Madrid, Catalan assembly elects separatist speaker
BARCELONA (Reuters) – Catalonia’s parliament picked a separatist speaker on Wednesday, signalling the possible return of sacked nationalist Carles Puigdemont as the region’s leader and the renewal of full-blown political confrontation with Madrid.
North Korea rejects sanctions talk, ready for ‘successful’ Olympics: diplomat
GENEVA (Reuters) – North Korea rejects as a “provocation” a U.S.-led meeting in Vancouver that discussed tougher sanctions that Pyongyang will fight, a senior North Korean diplomat told Reuters on Wednesday.
Farage backs off second Brexit referendum talk as EU says UK still welcome
STRASBOURG (Reuters) – Leading British anti-EU campaigner Nigel Farage rowed back on Wednesday from remarks favoring a second referendum on Brexit, a week after he unleashed a new round of debate and a chorus of invitations from European politicians fo…
Turkey says will respond immediately to any threats from Western Syria
HATAY, Turkey (Reuters) – Turkey will respond immediately to any threats that could harm the country or its citizens emanating from western Syria, its National Security Council said on Wednesday.
Kidnappers abduct two Americans, two Canadians in Nigeria, two police killed: police official
KADUNA, Nigeria (Reuters) – Kidnappers have abducted two Americans and two Canadians in the northern Nigerian state of Kaduna, killing two police officers, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.
Hungary outlines ‘Stop Soros’ legislation against immigration
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary’s nationalist government outlined legislation on Wednesday to tackle illegal immigration that it says is undermining European stability and has been stoked in part by U.S. financier George Soros.
Suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers kill 12, injure 48
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers killed 12 people and injured 48 others in an attack on Wednesday on the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, officials from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for Borno s…
Russia: North Korea summit undermines U.N., aggravates situation
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia hit out on Wednesday at a U.S.-led effort to increase international pressure on North Korea, saying it was making the situation worse and undermining the United Nations.
U.N. mediator invites Syria, opposition to Vienna talks next week
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria said on Wednesday he had invited the Syrian government and opposition to a special meeting to be held next week in Vienna, Austria.
Kidnappers abduct American, Canadian in Nigeria, two police killed: police official
KADUNA, Nigeria (Reuters) – Kidnappers have abducted one American and one Canadian in the northern Nigerian state of Kaduna, killing two police officers, police said on Wednesday.
