Eyeing power, Merkel protegee starts high-stakes defense job
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s protegee, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, pledged on Wednesday to push for increased military spending “in our own interests” as Germany’s new defense minister – a role likely to make or break her chances of succeeding her mentor…
Russian boat was illegally seized by North Korea: Russian fishing agency
Russia’s state fishing agency said on Wednesday that a Russian vessel held by North Korean border guards had not been in North Korean waters when it was detained and that Pyongyang’s action had been illegal, the RIA news agency reported.
Swiss minister under fire for tobacco sponsorship of Expo pavilion
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis is under fire over a 1.8 million Swiss francs ($1.8 million) sponsoring deal his department struck with tobacco giant Philip Morris International to help fund Switzerland’s Expo 2020 pavilion in Dubai.
South Korea fails to drum up support at WTO in row with Japan
South Korea’s bid to garner international support in a row with Japan by airing its case at the World Trade Organization brought no visible dividend on Wednesday, as no other countries took the floor to support either side, a Geneva trade official said…
UK de facto deputy PM Lidington resigns ahead of new government
Britain’s de facto deputy prime minister David Lidington resigned from the government on Wednesday ahead of Boris Johnson being appointed prime minister.
U.S., Turkey committed to accelerated progress on roadmap for Syria’s Manbij: statement
The United States and Turkey are committed to accelerated and concrete progress on the roadmap agreed upon for the northern Syrian town of Manbij, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara said on Wednesday.
Russian defense contractor developing smartphone spyware: U.S. firm
A Russian defense contractor accused by the United States of supporting cyber attacks has developed sophisticated software used to spy on smartphones, an American security company said on Wednesday.
Incoming British PM Johnson picks Brexit’s enfant terrible for top team
Just hours before Boris Johnson was due to take office as prime minister, one of the most unconventional architects of Brexit was named as a senior adviser to help implement his pledge to leave the European Union by Oct. 31.
UK’s Hammond quits as finance minister before Johnson becomes PM
British finance minister Philip Hammond resigned from the government on Wednesday, following through on a promise to leave rather than serve under incoming prime minister Boris Johnson.
Kenya appoints acting finance minister after Rotich graft charges
Kenya’s presidency appointed Labour Minister Ukur Yatani as acting finance minister on Wednesday, a day after incumbent Henry Rotich was charged with corruption.
