BBC “Al-Qaeda frees hostage Johan Gustafsson after six years” Hostage Johan Gustafsson, held by al-Qaeda in Mali since 2011, has been freed, the Swedish government says. Mr. Gustafsson, 42, is being flown back to Sweden from Africa, Sweden’s Foreign Minister Margot Wallström said in a statement on Monday. He was seized by al-Qaeda in the....
The Guardian “Venezuela: police helicopter attacks supreme court with grenades” A police helicopter launched grenades at Venezuela’s supreme court building on Tuesday evening following months of protests against the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro. Maduro said “terrorists” had lobbed two grenades that failed to detonate. Some reports put the number of grenades higher. Local media suggested....
CNN “Germany: 18 killed in Bavaria bus crash” Eighteen people are feared dead following a bus crash in Germany on Monday, police have confirmed. German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt told reporters that emergency services had recovered 11 bodies so far from the crash in Bavaria and the search was underway for seven other people. After....
BBC “Ukraine wants membership plan talks, says Poroshenko” Ukraine’s president has asked for discussions to begin on an action plan that could eventually lead to membership of Nato. Petro Poroshenko said the will of the Ukrainian people was to eventually join the Western military alliance. Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said any decision on future....
BBC “Jordan soldier who killed US trainers jailed for life” A Jordanian soldier has been sentenced to life in prison with hard labor for killing three US military trainers last year. Marik al-Tuwayha, who pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder, attacked the men as their vehicles approached al-Jafr airbase in November. One was killed at....
CNN “Kushner confirms Russia meetings, says ‘I did not collude’” Jared Kushner, the President’s son-in-law and senior adviser, said in a statement Monday to the Senate and House intelligence committees that he had no additional contacts with individuals who were or may have been Russian government representatives, beyond those that have already been publicly disclosed.....
BBC “Russia sanctions: EU vows to retaliate over US measures” The European Union has expressed concern about US plans to impose fresh sanctions on Russia, amid concern they could hurt energy companies. The EU Commission sounded the alarm after the US House of Representatives voted in favor of the measures, despite opposition from Donald Trump.....
The Guardian “Venezuela poll: EU condemns violence as turnout figure disputed” Venezuelan electoral authorities and opponents of Nicolás Maduro’s ruling socialists have clashed over turnout figures in Sunday’s vote for an assembly to write a new constitution and give the party greater powers. The national electoral council said more than 8 million people had voted....
Bloomberg “Dow Tops 22,000 as Apple Rallies; Euro Strengthens: Markets Wrap.” The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose past 22,000 for the first time as Apple Inc. pushed to a record, while renewed strength in the euro dragged down European equities. Oil fluctuated after retreating from its brief rise above $50 a barrel. The Nasdaq 100....
Bloomberg “U.S. Stocks Drift Higher, Energy Weighs on Indexes: Markets Wrap” U.S. stocks were slightly higher Monday, continuing their record run, despite a decline in energy stocks. Crude dropped as major oil producers gathered to discuss participation in output cuts. The dollar continued to climb, while the euro also rose. The greenback initially struggled to....
Bloomberg “45,000 Evacuated Across Russia After Wave of Bomb Threats.” More than 45,000 people have been evacuated from airports, schools and government buildings across Russia over the last two days amid a wave of fake bomb threats that officials called unprecedented. “There’s never been anything like this before, it’s 100 percent organized telephone terrorism,” Frants....
Bloomberg “Portugal Bonds Lead Peripheral Rally on Debt Rating Upgrade.” Portuguese debt led a rally in euro-area peripheral bonds after S&P Global Ratings raised the nation’s credit rating to investment grade. The yield on benchmark 10-year notes slid to a 20-month low after S&P revised the sovereign rating to BBB- from BB+ with a stable....
Bloomberg “U.S. Stocks Mixed, Dollar Weakens Before Rate Call: Markets Wrap” U.S. stocks remained listless, the dollar slipped and Treasuries edged higher as investors count down to the Federal Reserve’s rate decision and press conference. Commodities advanced as oil rose alongside industrial metals. The S&P 500 Index churned near all-time highs, stuck in one of....
Bloomberg “Uber’s London Private Hire License Revoked by Transport Body.” Facing criminal investigations and government inquiries around the world, Uber Technologies Inc. has lost its license to operate in London in a surprise decision that potentially affects 3.5 million people and 40,000 drivers who use the app in Europe’s largest city. Regulators in London faulted....
BBC News “German election: Merkel wins fourth term, AfD nationalists rise.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been re-elected for a fourth term while nationalists have made a historic surge in federal elections. Her conservative CDU/CSU bloc has seen its worst result in almost 70 years but will remain the largest in parliament. Its current coalition....