Exclusive: Iran briefly held IAEA inspector, seized travel documents – diplomats
Iran briefly held an inspector working for the U.N. nuclear watchdog in the Islamic Republic and seized her travel documents, diplomats familiar with the agency’s work said on Wednesday, with some describing it as harassment.
Zimbabwe police stop public workers from marching for better pay
Zimbabwe police on Wednesday blocked a handful of public sector workers from marching to government offices with a petition demanding better pay, reneging on an earlier pledge to allow the demonstration.
UK minister forced out in blow for Johnson as election campaign starts
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s minister for Wales Alun Cairns resigned on Wednesday, the first official day of the general election campaign, after being accused of lying about his knowledge of an aide who allegedly sabotaged a rape trial.
Cyprus plans to strip citizenships after uproar over passports
Cyprus said on Wednesday that it had started a process to strip 26 individuals of citizenship they received under a secretive passports-for-investment scheme, admitting it had flaws.
Jordan says three Mexicans, one Swiss wounded in stabbing at tourist spot
Jordan’s minister of health said three Mexicans and one Swiss tourist were wounded along with four Jordanians when a man went on a stabbing rampage in Jersah city, a major tourist destination near ancient Roman ruins.
Vietnam mulls legal action over South China Sea dispute
Vietnam could explore legal action among various options in its territorial dispute with powerful neighbor China in the South China Sea, a senior government official said on Wednesday.
Spanish prosecutor to seek tougher rape verdict in abuse case after protests
Spanish prosecutors will appeal a court ruling which found five men who assaulted a 14-year-old girl guilty of sexual abuse rather than the graver crime of rape, a source at the prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday.
World Bank ready to support Lebanon, urges quick formation of new government
The World Bank said on Wednesday it stood ready to back a new Lebanese government and warned that the country had no time to waste to fix economic troubles that were becoming worse by the day.
Romania government nominates two candidates for EU commissioner
Romania’s centrist government on Wednesday nominated two candidates for EU Commisioner, European lawmakers Adina Valean and Siegfried Muresan, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban said.
Tourists stabbed in Jordanian city near Roman ruins: police
Several Spanish-speaking tourists were injured in a stabbing on Wednesday in Jerash, a Jordanian city popular with foreign visitors, along with a local guide and a security guard, police said, adding that a man had been arrested.
