Gaffe prone? Carnival joke backfires on Merkel protege
The leader of Germany’s ruling Christian Democrats (CDU), Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, drew sharp criticism from her Social Democrat coalition partners on Wednesday for poking fun at trans-gender people in a light-hearted carnival speech.
Sudanese opposition party says security officials thwart its news conference
One of Sudan’s leading opposition parties said on Wednesday security services had prevented a news conference it planned for the afternoon, calling the move another “oppressive” government measure in the face of protests.
Female naval cadets say Russia not ready for women in combat roles
Alina Politika is one of 42 female cadets attending the naval academy in Russia’s Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad, but she knows she is unlikely to ever step onto the captain’s bridge of a battleship.
Venezuela expels German ambassador for meddling, detains journalist
Venezuela’s government expelled the German ambassador on Wednesday, while press advocacy groups said an American journalist had been detained, as embattled President Nicolas Maduro cracks down on a challenge to his rule.
German, European support for Venezuela’s Guaido is unwavering: Maas
Germany and its European partners will continue to back Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Wednesday after the Venezuelan government expelled the German ambassador.
UK police blow up suspect parcel sent to Scottish university
Police blew up a parcel sent to a Scottish university on another day of bomb scares in Britain after three devices were sent to major transport hubs in London on Tuesday.
U.S. senators say Saudi crown prince has gone ‘full gangster’
Retired General John Abizaid, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to Saudi Arabia, defended the U.S.-Saudi relationship on Wednesday as lawmakers accused the kingdom of a litany of misdeeds and criticized its crown prince as going “full g…
Man who plotted truck attack on London’s Oxford St jailed for life
A Muslim convert who had pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS) was jailed for life on Wednesday for plotting to drive a truck into pedestrians on central London’s busy Oxford Street.
Eurostar rail chaos as French customs staff stage no-deal Brexit checks
Train services between Paris and London suffered long delays on Wednesday as French customs staff made extra security checks to highlight the pressure Britain’s departure from the European Union could place on their workforce.
India may prosecute newspaper under secrets act over Rafale documents
India’s top lawyer told the Supreme Court on Wednesday it may file a criminal case against The Hindu newspaper under India’s Official Secrets Act for publishing “stolen” government documents about a deal to buy 36 Rafale jets from France.
