Putin proposes vote on constitutional shake-up that could extend his rule
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday proposed a nationwide vote on sweeping constitutional changes that would shift power from the presidency to parliament and the prime minister, a move that could allow him to extend his rule after leaving the Kremli…
Oman’s new sultan faces ‘balancing act’ as credit crunch looms
Holders of more than $20 billion of Oman’s dollar bonds want the new sultan to push through urgent reforms to ward off a credit crunch in the Gulf’s worst performing economy.
Russia seizes Japan fishing boat near disputed islands
Russian authorities have seized a Japanese cod fishing boat and taken it to a Russian-controlled island claimed by Japan, media reports and a fishermen’s association said on Wednesday.
U.N. official blames politicians for Lebanon ‘chaos’, protesters target banks
Lebanese politicians are watching on as the economy collapses and protests turn angry, a senior U.N. official said on Wednesday, rebuking a ruling elite that has failed to agree a government or rescue plan for a country in deep crisis.
Lebanon house speaker says work underway to protect bank deposits: MP
Lebanese MP Ali Bazzi, citing the country’s parliament speaker, said on Wednesday that work was underway to protect bank deposits amid a financial crisis that has shaken confidence in the country’s banks.
In quake-hit Puerto Rico even the bees are fleeing their homes
Puerto Rican bees are abandoning hives as weeks of earthquakes disrupt colonies, experts said, raising concerns that a subspecies seen as a possible solution to the global bee crisis could take another hit after being decimated by hurricanes in 2017.
Leaders fear for planet as they pack for ‘green’ Davos
Climate change and environmental destruction top the risks highlighted by world decision-makers in a survey ahead of the 2020 gathering of the global elite in the Swiss ski resort of Davos.
Putin says he wants Russian law to trump international treaties
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday proposed changing Russia’s constitution to give national legislation precedence over international treaties and rulings from international bodies in cases when they contravene Russia’s own constitution.
Bulgaria names new environment minister amid water crisis
Bulgaria’s parliament approved Emil Dimitrov as environment minister on Wednesday after prosecutors charged his predecessor with deliberate mismanagement of a water crisis affecting a western region of the Balkan country.
Meghan could face father in London court over publication of letter
A British newspaper which is being sued by Meghan, Britain’s Duchess of Sussex, will use evidence from her father Thomas Markle, in a court battle over its publication of a private letter from the royal to him, it has said in legal documents.
