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.
Israel’s El Al Airlines suspends Hong Kong flights over coronavirus
El Al Israel Airlines is suspending its Hong Kong flights and will be reducing flights on its Bangkok route in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the company said on Wednesday.
Head of Sudan ruling council pledges ICC cooperation over Bashir, says right group
The head of Sudan’s ruling council has pledged full cooperation with the International Criminal Court, which has an outstanding arrest warrant for ousted president Omar al-Bashir for alleged war crimes and genocide in Darfur, Human Rights Watch said.
Russia puts jailed Baring Vostok executives under house arrest
A Russian court on Wednesday released three men who were taken into custody last year in an embezzlement case against the Baring Vostok private equity group, placing them under house arrest instead, the RIA news agency reported.
Organisers poised to call off Mobile World Congress: sources
Organisers of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) will decide on Wednesday whether to cancel the event, two sources said, after several major European telecom companies pulled out due to the coronavirus outbreak.
U.N. rights office issues report on companies active in West Bank settlements
The United Nations human rights office on Wednesday issued a report on companies it said have business ties to Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a long-delayed move likely to draw the ire of Israel and its main ally the United States.
Russia says Turkish army is aggravating situation in Syria’s Idlib
Russia said on Wednesday that the presence of Turkish troops and armor in Syria’s Idlib region was making the situation there much worse as was the transport of weapons and ammunition across the Syrian-Turkish border.
