Czech president backs new culture minister nominee, defusing government crisis
Czech President Milos Zeman on Wednesday backed the new nominee for culture minister from the junior party in the ruling coalition, defusing a political crisis that had threatened to topple the government.
Suspected jihadists kill five Malian troops in ambush
Suspected jihadists killed five Malian soldiers on Wednesday in an ambush in the West African country’s volatile center, the army said, the latest in a string of attacks targeting local security forces in the Sahel region.
Hong Kong protest moves peacefully to mob-attack subway
A major bank warned on Wednesday that weeks of protests in Hong Kong could hit the economies of the Chinese-ruled city and mainland China itself as hundreds of demonstrators held a sit-in at the subway site of a midsummer mob attack.
Italy’s PD opens door to possible 5-Star government, sets conditions
Italy’s main opposition party said on Wednesday it was ready to hold talks with the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement over forming a government following the collapse of the previous, populist coalition.
Nigeria’s Buhari assigns cabinet portfolios, appoints new oil minister
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari swore members of his cabinet into office on Wednesday, assigning a new minister of state for petroleum in Africa’s top producer of crude oil.
Merkel aims to work out friction-free Brexit with British PM
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would discuss how to make sure Britain’s divorce from the European Union is as smooth as possible when she holds talks later on Wednesday with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
EU’s Tusk, British PM Johnson to meet in France on Sunday
European Council President Donald Tusk will hold a face-to-face meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at 1030 GMT on Sunday on the sidelines of a G7 summit in France, Tusk’s schedule showed on Wednesday.
Indonesia chief security minister to fly to Papua as fresh protests erupt
Indonesia’s chief security minister said he will fly to Papua late on Wednesday after violent protests, including stone-throwing and the torching of some buildings, spread to more towns in the easternmost region over perceived discrimination.
Pope gives sick girl free run of audience stage, delighting crowd
Pope Francis allowed a girl suffering from an undisclosed illness to move around undisturbed clapping and dancing on the stage for most of his general audience on Wednesday, delighting the crowd.
Mexican president says government not talking with organized crime
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Wednesday that the government is not holding talks with organized crime gangs, a day after his interior minister said she was meeting with self-described self-defense groups in states hard hit by vi…
