U.S. criticizes Myanmar court decision on Reuters journalists
The United States criticized Myanmar on Wednesday after the Asian country’s high court upheld the sentencing of two Reuters journalists, expressing deep concern about freedom of expression and urging that the two be reunited with their families.
U.S. targets two men, three firms for helping Hezbollah avoid sanctions
The U.S. Treasury, moving to boost pressure on Hezbollah, imposed sanctions on Wednesday against two people and three firms that Washington accuses of being involved in schemes to help the armed Shi’ite group backed by Iran evade American sanctions.
Trump plan doesn’t include Jordan-Palestinian union: U.S. envoy
An architect of a still-secret U.S. plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict took to Twitter again on Wednesday to disclose another element that it would not contain – a confederation with neighboring Jordan.
Extinction Rebellion to end London blockades on Thursday
Environmental campaigners Extinction Rebellion will close their two remaining central London protest sites on Thursday, the group said after 10 days of disruption in the British capital to highlight the risks of climate change.
Rwanda court repeals law banning satirical cartoons
Rwanda’s supreme court on Wednesday repealed a law that banned the publication of political cartoons, while upholding another that punishes insulting or defaming the president with at least five years in prison.
Russian pranksters posing as Ukraine president-elect trick France’s Macron
Russian pranksters posing as Ukrainian president-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy tricked French President Emmanuel Macron into a hoax phone call after Sunday’s Ukrainian presidential vote.
Detention center opened but migrants too frightened to leave as war reaches Tripoli
Libyan officials have opened the doors of a detention center for illegal migrants in Tripoli, but frightened Somalis and other sub-Saharan Africans told Reuters they had decided to stay there for fear of getting caught up in fighting engulfing the capi…
Russia offers passports to east Ukraine, president-elect decries ‘aggressor state’
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order on Wednesday simplifying the procedure for obtaining a Russian passport for residents of separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine, prompting calls from Kiev for more international sanctions.
U.S. issues new Hezbollah-related sanctions
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on several individuals and entities under a program targeting the Iran-backed armed Shi’ite group Hezbollah.
UK Conservatives to demand clear departure schedule from PM May
Britain’s Conservative Party will demand a clear timetable for Prime Minister Theresa May’s departure but will not change the rules governing leadership challenges, the chair of the party’s influential 1922 Committee said on Wednesday.
