Spanish Socialists defeated in first vote on coalition plan
MADRID (Reuters) – A coalition plan by Spanish Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez stumbled at the first hurdle on Wednesday as rivals on the left and right voted against it in parliament and set in motion a two-month countdown to avoid another election.
Biden, Iraq’s Abadi discuss military, financial support in call: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Wednesday to discuss military assistance requested by Iraq to fight Islamic State militants, the White House said.
Spanish al Qaeda commander killed by French forces in Mali: sources
DAKAR (Reuters) – French forces killed a Spaniard working as an al Qaeda commander in northern Mali during a military operation against the group this week, a Spanish intelligence firm and security sources said.
Spain’s Socialist leader loses first vote to become prime minister
MADRID (Reuters) – The leader of Spain’s Socialists Pedro Sanchez lost a parliamentary vote to become the country’s next prime minister on Wednesday, securing the backing of only 130 representatives in the 350-strong assembly.
U.N. says aid ship docks in Yemen after diversion to Saudi Arabia
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – A World Food Programme (WFP) ship carrying humanitarian aid offloaded its cargo in Yemen on Wednesday, the United Nations said, after it was diverted to Saudi Arabia last month because it was carrying communications equipment…
Italian mafia earnings from drugs rival Fiat with cars
ROME (Reuters) – Italian mobsters make as much money trafficking narcotics in Italy as Fiat does selling cars, but without having to pay taxes, the anti-mafia prosecutors office said on Wednesday.
Mexican drug lord Guzman seeks to speed up extradition to U.S.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Captive Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is attempting to accelerate his extradition to the United States in the hope that he will be treated better in prison there, his lawyers said on Wednesday.
Egypt parliament expels MP for dining with Israeli ambassador
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s parliament voted on Wednesday to expel an independent lawmaker who invited the Israeli ambassador in Cairo for dinner, drawing widespread criticism and prompting a fellow deputy to attack him with his shoe.
Nearly 2,000 legal cases opened for insulting Turkey’s Erdogan
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish prosecutors have opened nearly 2,000 cases against people for insulting Tayyip Erdogan since he became Turkey’s president 18 months ago, the justice minister said on Wednesday.
U.S. says working with Russia on aid flow, truce in Syria
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United States is working with Russia to improve access to besieged areas in Syria and to stop the Syrian government from removing medical supplies from aid convoys, a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday.
