Bashar al-Assad’s uncle to face trial in France over property fraud: source
The uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will stand trial in France for allegedly acquiring millions of euros worth of French property assets using funds diverted from the Syrian state, a judicial source said on Wednesday.
Canada says considering options after U.S. decision on Cuba
Canada is considering its options after a U.S. decision to lift a long-standing ban against U.S. citizens filing lawsuits against foreign companies that use properties seized by Cuba’s Communist government since the 1959 revolution, Canada’s foreign minister said on Wednesday.
Jokowi 2.0 could open Indonesia’s door to foreign investors
Foreign investors desperate for more access to Indonesia’s huge market can take comfort from the re-election of Joko Widodo as president for a second and final term on Wednesday: according to government insiders he is poised for a splurge of reform.
UK says to become first country to check porn viewers’ age
The United Kingdom will become the first country in the world to demand age verification for people viewing pornography online when new checks come into force in three months’ time, the government said on Wednesday.
Iraqi PM Abdul Mahdi meets Saudi King Salman on first visit to Saudi Arabia
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi made his first visit to Saudi Arabia since taking office six months ago, meeting King Salman during the stop on a regional tour that has also seen visits to Cairo and Tehran in recent weeks.
Estonian parliament gives Center’s Ratas nod to lead government
Estonia’s Center party leader Juri Ratas secured parliament’s support on Wednesday to continue as prime minister and form a new government that will bring a far-right party into the cabinet for the first time.
Bosnia arrests nine suspected of smuggling 140 migrants
Nine Bosnians were arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of being part of a gang that smuggled 140 migrants from Pakistan, Syria, Iraq and Iran into the European Union, police said.
Romanian Senate approves draft bill that could close graft cases
Romania’s Senate approved changes to the criminal code on Wednesday that could shut down a number of ongoing high-level graft cases in one of the European Union’s most corrupt states.
Turkey’s opposition takes office in Istanbul, appeal still pending
Turkey’s main opposition candidate was declared Istanbul’s mayor on Wednesday after election recounts were finally completed, despite an appeal still pending by President Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party to re-run the vote in the country’s largest city.
Portugal’s energy crisis worsens as fuel-tanker strike drags
Energy shortages in Portugal sharpened on Wednesday as a strike by fuel-tanker drivers entered its third day in the worst industrial unrest of the Socialist government’s four-year rule.
