German conservative Weber bids for Juncker’s EU job
German conservative Manfred Weber declared his bid on Wednesday to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as EU chief executive, signaling an early start to campaigning for elections to the European Parliament in May.
U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo arrives in Pakistan; to meet new PM Khan
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Pakistan on Wednesday for a brief visit on his whistle-stop tour of the region, with the war in Afghanistan and the issue of Islamist militants once again set to dominate discussions with Pakistan.
Shells hit Syria’s Idlib as rebels prepare for assault: monitor
The Syrian military shelled the last stronghold of active rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday as insurgents blew up another bridge in anticipation of a government offensive, a war monitor said.
Factbox: Who controls what in Syria?
Early in the conflict, fighting splintered Syria into a complex patchwork of areas held by rival groups, but fighting in recent years has simplified the frontlines and the country is now split into only a few zones of control.
Israel’s top court clears way for razing of Bedouin village in West Bank: spokesman
Israel’s top court cleared the way on Wednesday for the demolition of a Bedouin village in the occupied West Bank whose fate has become a focus of Palestinian protests and international concern.
Salvini says Italy government won’t ‘blow up’ state accounts
Italy’s ruling coalition has no intention of torpedoing state accounts and plans to phase in its economic program, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini reiterated on Wednesday ahead of a meeting to discuss the 2019 budget.
Danish submarine killer launches appeal against life sentence
Danish inventor Peter Madsen appeared in court on Wednesday to appeal against a life sentence handed to him for murdering and dismembering a Swedish journalist on board his home-made submarine.
British PM May to make emergency statement to parliament: Times
British Prime Minister Theresa May will make an emergency statement to parliament on Wednesday, most likely on national security, the Times newspaper reported.
Japan acknowledges first radiation death among Fukushima workers
Japan has acknowledged for the first time that a worker at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, destroyed by an earthquake and tsunami more than seven years ago, died from radiation exposure.
Qatar lifts controversial exit visa system for most workers
Qatar amended its residency laws on Tuesday to allow most foreign workers to leave the country without exit permits from their employers, a provision which labor rights groups have long said should be abolished.
