Three importers cut Iran oil shipments to zero: U.S. envoy
Three of eight importers granted waivers by Washington to buy oil from Iran have now cut their shipments to zero, a U.S. official said on Tuesday, adding that improved global oil market conditions would help reduce Iranian crude exports further.
Ethiopian Airlines pilots followed Boeing’s emergency procedures before crash: WSJ
The pilots of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX jet that crashed last month had initially followed Boeing Co’s emergency procedures but they still failed to regain control of the plane, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
Islamic State claims killing of Canadian geologist in Burkina Faso
Islamic State carried out the kidnapping and killing of a Canadian citizen in Burkina Faso in January, the group’s weekly newspaper Al-Naba said, claiming responsibility in its latest issue without providing evidence.
Hong Kong forges ahead with new extradition law despite opposition
Hong Kong’s leaders launched laws on Wednesday to change extradition rules to allow people to be sent to mainland China for trial, standing fast against growing opposition to a move that many fear could further erode the city’s legal protections.
On election footing, Australia government extends budget welfare
Australia’s embattled government amended its annual budget on Wednesday, 12 hours after it was unveiled, extending an energy rebate to the unemployed after criticism it’s pre-election budget failed to adequately help those without a job.
Malaysia to sell 1MDB-linked superyacht for $126 million
Malaysia will sell a superyacht allegedly bought with stolen funds from state fund 1MDB to casino operator Genting Malaysia Bhd for $126 million, in the first major asset sale by Kuala Lumpur to recover billions lost from the fund.
Venezuela lawmakers loyal to Maduro open door to prosecution of Guaido
Venezuela’s Constituent Assembly, an all-powerful legislature controlled by the ruling Socialist Party, on Tuesday approved a measure allowing for a trial of opposition leader Juan Guaido, in what appeared to be step toward having him arrested.
Australia’s Senate condemns lawmaker over New Zealand massacre Muslim comments
Australia’s Senate censured an independent right-wing lawmaker on Wednesday for his comments that New Zealand’s mosques shooting massacre which left 50 people dead was a result of letting “Muslim fanatics” migrate to the country.
Taiwan rattled by 5.6 magnitude quake, no immediate reports of damage: weather bureau
A 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan’s southeastern county of Taitung on Wednesday, the island’s weather bureau said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
Silence and tears: Reporting the massacre in Christchurch
“Almost every person we spoke to was in some stage of grief, trauma or shock,” says Charlotte Greenfield, the first Reuters correspondent to reach Christchurch, New Zealand, on the night a gunman opened fire in two mosques and killed 50 people.
