Canada’s Trudeau contravened ethics rules with visit to Aga Khan island
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau contravened some conflict of interest rules when he accepted a vacation last year on a private island belonging to the Aga Khan, the country’s ethics watchdog said on Wednesday.
Philippine police chief defends deadly drug war of the ‘Davao Boys’
MANILA (Reuters) – The police chief of the Philippines on Wednesday stood by the head of a secretive unit behind dozens of killings in the country’s war on drugs, saying officers fired only in self-defence and the death toll reflected the danger and th…
U.N. freedom of speech expert concerned about net neutrality
GENEVA (Reuters) – The U.N.’s freedom of speech expert said on Wednesday he was concerned about the ramifications of a decision in the United States to roll back net neutrality, since it could lead to small and independent voices being drowned out on t…
Austria’s Kurz says will fight anti-Semitism after Israel voices concern
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Wednesday his new coalition would focus on fighting anti-Semitism, after Israel made it clear it would not work directly with any ministers from the far-right party now back in government.
Turkish banker makes second bid for mistrial in U.S. sanctions case
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Lawyers for an executive at Turkey’s majority state-owned Halkbank who is accused of helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions on Wednesday asked a U.S. federal judge to declare a mistrial as jurors were expected to begin deliberating.
Germany’s conservatives, SPD start talks Jan. 7 on another ‘grand coalition’
(Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD) have agreed to exploratory talks on forming a new government starting on Jan. 7, both parties said on Wednesday after informal discussions.
Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa promises zero tolerance in corruption fight
HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday promised zero tolerance in his government’s push to punish corruption that stifled political freedom and economic growth under Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule.
U.S. sanctions Chechen leader, four others under Magnitsky Act
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Wednesday sanctioned five individuals, including the head of Russia’s Chechnya republic, for alleged human rights abuses.
Ukraine, allies fear escalation after Russia exits ceasefire group
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian officials, security monitors and Kiev’s foreign backers warned on Wednesday that Moscow’s decision to withdraw from a Ukrainian-Russian ceasefire control group could worsen the fighting in eastern Ukraine.
Saudi king receives Palestinian president Abbas
DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s King Salman received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Riyadh on Wednesday and reiterated the kingdom’s support for the Palestinian people, state news agency SPA reported.
