Brazil’s Maggi opposes merging agriculture and environment ministries: spokeswoman
Brazilian Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi is against President-elect Jair Bolsonaro’s proposed merger of the agriculture and the environment ministries, which would cause losses to the country, his spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
Mattis rejects criticism of sending U.S. troops to border
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday rejected criticism that deploying thousands of troops to the border with Mexico was a political stunt.
Austria to shun global migration pact, fearing creep in human rights
Austria will follow the United States and Hungary in backing out of a United Nations migration pact over concerns it will blur the line between legal and illegal migration, the right-wing government said on Wednesday.
Conservative contenders vie to overturn Merkel’s centrism
Two leading contenders to replace Angela Merkel when the German chancellor bows out as leader of the Christian Democrats set out their stalls on Wednesday, promising to give new definition to a party grown centrist over her two decades at the helm.
Former Italian soccer star sentenced in mafia trial
An Italian court on Wednesday sentenced former national soccer star Vincenzo Iaquinta to two years in jail and his father, Giuseppe, to 19 years at the end of a trial of almost 150 people for alleged mafia links.
Brexit deal should be done by Nov. 21, UK’s Raab says
A Brexit deal is now firmly in sight and should be finalised by November 21, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said in a week-old letter to a lawmaker published on Wednesday that briefly sent sterling sharply higher.
Deal on Brexit is possible by November 21: Irish foreign minister
A deal on Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union is possible by November 21, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Wednesday, but it will require British negotiators in particular to step up efforts.
PM May’s spokesman: No comment on Nov. 21 Brexit deal date, want agreement soon
Prime Minster Theresa May’s spokesman declined to say whether an EU exit deal was expected by Nov. 21, as indicated in a letter by her Brexit minister Dominic Raab earlier on Wednesday, but said government was working to get a deal as soon as possible….
Turkey says Khashoggi killing not possible without orders from senior positions
The killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi could not have been carried out without orders from someone in a senior position, the spokesman for Turkey’s ruling AK Party said on Wednesday.
Egypt hosts Arab military exercises in what could develop into an ‘Arab NATO’
Armed forces and observers from eight Arab countries are converging on Egypt for exercises starting on Saturday, the Egyptian military said on Wednesday, in a move that could evolve into a regional pact to counter Iran’s influence.
