Some 40,000 civilians have left last Islamic State bastion: SDF official
Around 40,000 civilians have left the last shred of territory controlled by Islamic State in Syria, an official with the U.S.-backed force trying to defeat the jihadists said on Wednesday, surpassing initial estimates and delaying a final assault.
India, Pakistan down each other’s jets as Kashmir conflict heats up
India and Pakistan both said they shot down each other’s fighter jets on Wednesday, a day after Indian warplanes struck inside Pakistan for the first time since a 1971 war, prompting world powers to urge restraint.
Sri Lankan police drop case in discredited assassination plot
Sri Lankan police told a court on Wednesday they would not press charges against an Indian national over an alleged and discredited plot to kill the president due to lack of evidence, bringing a political drama to a low-key finale.
World’s smallest baby boy goes home from Japan hospital
A baby boy weighing just 268 grams (9.45 oz) at birth was sent home after months in a Tokyo hospital, the smallest surviving male baby in the world, Keio University hospital said.
Trump and North Korea’s Kim shake hands to kick off second summit
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump met in Hanoi on Wednesday for their second summit, with the U.S. president rejecting any suggestion he was walking back on U.S. demands for North Korea’s denuclearization.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro withdraws measure seen as weakening government transparency
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro late on Tuesday withdrew an executive order signed in January that would have increased the number of officials able to effectively keep government documents and data secret.
Thai court rules next week on banning party that nominated princess for PM
Thailand’s Constitutional Court said on Wednesday it will give its ruling on March 7 on whether to ban an opposition party for nominating a princess as its candidate for prime minister in a general election.
Vatican to open own investigation into accusations against Pell
The Vatican is opening its own investigation into accusations against Cardinal George Pell, who was found guilty of sexual abuse of minors in his native Australia, a spokesman said on Wednesday.
Saudi minister pledges cooperate with U.N. ights forum, no word on Khashoggi
A Saudi minister told the United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday that it will cooperate with its mechanisms, but he did not explicitly refer to the U.N.-led inquiry into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Kim’s top aides on economic tour as North Korea looks to Vietnam model
North Korean officials visited some high-tech factories and a tourist site in Vietnam on Wednesday, as their leader, Kim Jong Un, looks to shore up his sanctions-hit economy by copying the successes of another old U.S. foe.
