Conservative Merz plans to run for German CDU chair: media
Conservative Friedrich Merz plans to run for the leadership of Germany’s Christian Democrats (CDU) after Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said this week she would give up the post, Focus Online and Bild reported on Wednesday, citing news agency DPA.
Mexico says number of migrants in ‘Remain in Mexico’ program drops sharply
Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Wednesday that the number of migrants awaiting the outcome of their U.S. immigration cases in Mexico has fallen from 50,000 to about 2,500.
Organizers agonize over whether to scrap Mobile World Congress
Organizers of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) agonized on Wednesday over whether to cancel or press ahead with a smaller version of the event after major European telecom companies pulled out over the coronavirus outbreak.
Russia accuses Turkey of breaking Syria deals, rejects Erdogan claim
Russia on Wednesday accused Turkey of flouting agreements it had made with Moscow on Syria and of aggravating the situation in Idlib where Syrian forces have made gains in their campaign to eliminate the last insurgent bastion in a nine-year-old war.
Iran vows ‘crushing response’ to any Israeli action against regional interests
Iran will respond forcefully to any Israeli action against its interests in the region, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, according to the Mehr news agency.
U.N. rights office lists companies it says have ties to Jewish settlements
The United Nations human rights office issued a report on Wednesday on companies it said have business ties to Israeli settlements in the West Bank, drawing ire from Israel but winning praise from Palestinians.
Europe, United States criticize Georgia over opposition leader’s jailing
The European Union and the United States urged Georgia to reinforce democracy on Wednesday after an opposition leader was jailed for a second time in a case activists say is politically motivated.
Cruise operator Carnival sees hit to earnings from coronavirus fallout
Carnival Corp , the operator of a cruise ship quarantined in Japan due to coronavirus cases, warned on Wednesday of a hit to its annual earnings from a potential suspension of its operations in Asia due to the outbreak.
Former head of Mexico’s state oil giant Pemex arrested in Spain
Spanish police on Wednesday arrested former chief executive of Mexico’s state oil firm Pemex, Emilio Lozoya, who was wanted on corruption charges in a graft case involving Brazilian builder Odebrecht, Spanish police and Lozoya’s lawyer said.
Mexican president intends to send judicial reform proposal to Congress
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Wednesday he will send Congress a proposal crafted by the Supreme Court that aims to strengthen the judiciary to combat corruption and abuse of power within its ranks.
