EU’s Barnier to meet Labour’s Corbyn on Thursday
The European Union’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier will meet the head of Britain’s Labour opposition party, Jeremy Corbyn, on Thursday, Barnier’s office said in a statement on Wednesday.
In Mexico’s shale patch, cartel violence scares off drillers
The oil and gas fracking boom has lured scores of drillers to the Eagle Ford region of South Texas, the second largest U.S. oil patch, as new production technology opened access to billions more barrels.
China leads the way in ‘golden visa’ investment in Portugal’s property market
Chinese are leading the way among non-European new residents in Portugal, whose investments have helped fuel a property boom under an advantageous “golden visa” scheme that is also creating political tension at home.
World Bank approves first loans to Somalia in 30 years
The World Bank has approved $80 million in loans to Somalia to fund public finance reforms, marking the first disbursement to the government of the conflict-ridden country in 30 years, the bank said.
Tens of thousands at Jerusalem’s Western Wall for priestly blessing
Tens of thousands of worshippers packed Jerusalem’s Western Wall plaza on Wednesday to receive a blessing from members of Judaism’s priestly caste.
Jail birds: Thailand considers prison for feeding pigeons
The Thai capital is considering jailing people who feed pigeons in public to try to eliminate the risk of bird flu and other diseases, officials said on Wednesday.
Pakistan jails software firm chief in $140 million diploma scam
The head of a Pakistani company convicted of bilking customers worldwide out of $140 million in online sales of bogus university degrees has been arrested weeks after being sentenced to jail, media reported on Wednesday.
U.S. removing some missile systems from Middle East: WSJ
The United States is pulling some of its anti-aircraft and missile batteries out of the Middle East, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing U.S. military officials.
Danish police investigate officer who hugged niqab-wearing protester
A Copenhagen policewoman is being investigated for embracing a niqab-wearing protestor during a demonstration against a ban on face veils, the force’s complaints body said on Wednesday.
Pope asks China for ‘trust, courage and farsightedness’ in new relationship
Pope Francis on Wednesday asked the Chinese government to move ahead with “trust, courage and farsightedness” to continue a dialogue started when the Vatican and Beijing signed a landmark agreement on the appointment of bishops.
