World Roundup: Kremlin irk over Interpol; NGO dumps toxic waste; Gibraltar vote

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Israel to turn to U.S. government over Airbnb removal of settlement listings

Israel plans to consult with the U.S. government over a decision by the home-renting company to remove listings in Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a cabinet minister said on Tuesday. Palestinians who want to establish an independent state in the territory including the West Bank that Israel captured in a 1967 war welcomed the San Francisco-based firm's move, announced on Monday and taking effect in the coming days. Israel called it a "wretched capitulation" to boycotters.

European court says Turkey holding Kurdish politician too long without trial

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday urged Turkey to swiftly process the legal case of the ex-head of the pro-Kurdish opposition, saying his pre-trial detention had gone on longer than could be justified. Selahattin Demirtas, former co-chairman of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and one of Turkey's best-known politicians, was sentenced in September to more than four years in jail on terrorism charges related to a speech he gave in 2013.

Kremlin says the U.S. is meddling in the selection of Interpol head

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that public opposition by a group of U.S. senators to a Russian candidate to head the international police organization Interpol amounted to election meddling. Interpol's general assembly is due to elect a new head at a meeting on Wednesday. On Monday, four U.S. senators issued a statement urging U.S. President Donald Trump to oppose the candidacy of Russia's Alexander Prokopchuk.

Italy accuses NGO migrant ship of dumping toxic waste

Italian magistrates on Tuesday accused the Doctors without Borders (MSF) charity of illegally dumping toxic waste at ports in southern Italy in what MSF said was an attempt to halt migrant rescue efforts by other means. Magistrates ordered the MSF-operated ship Aquarius, which has saved thousands of migrants since 2016, to be impounded but the charity denied any wrongdoing and accused Italy of seeking to criminalize humanitarian search and rescue missions.

Spain to vote against Brexit accord if the text on Gibraltar not changed: PM

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday that Spain will vote against the European Union's draft Brexit agreement if the included text on Gibraltar was not changed. "As of today, if there are no changes with respect to Gibraltar, Spain will vote no to the agreement on Brexit," Sanchez said during an Economist conference in Madrid.

Russia says Moscow and Ankara must take swift decisions on Syria's Idlib: agencies

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told his Turkish counterpart on Tuesday that Moscow and Ankara needed to take swift decisions to support a demilitarized zone in Syria's Idlib Province. Russia earlier this month accused rebels in the insurgent-held region of trying to wreck a Russian-Turkish initiative to create a demilitarized zone there.

Explainer: What misconduct is Nissan's Ghosn accused of, and how did it come to light?

Japan was shocked by the news that Nissan Motor Co Chairman Carlos Ghosn, who was widely respected for rescuing the car maker from near bankruptcy, was arrested on Monday for alleged financial misconduct. Nissan said that Ghosn, who is also chairman and CEO of Renault and chairman of Mitsubishi Motors, would be fired from his post as Nissan chairman on Thursday.

Exclusive: After Khashoggi murder, some Saudi royals turn against king's favourite son

Amid the international uproar over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, some members of Saudi Arabia's ruling family are agitating to prevent Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from becoming king, three sources close to the royal court said. Dozens of princes and cousins from powerful branches of the Al Saud family want to see a change in the line of succession but would not act while King Salman - the crown prince's 82-year-old father - is still alive, the sources said. They recognize that the king is unlikely to turn against his favourite son, known in the West as MBS.

Freed Pakistani Christian needs German passport to leave: lawyer

The lawyer for Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian acquitted of capital blasphemy charges, appealed on Tuesday to Germany to give her whole family citizenship to start a new life in Europe. Saiful Mulook told a news conference in Frankfurt that Bibi was now free but she and her family needed a passport to leave the country.

With Brexit vote in doubt, UK firms get ready for no deal

British companies began triggering contingency plans to keep their businesses operating if Britain leaves the European Union without a deal, underlining growing concern that political wrangling in London could thwart an agreement with Brussels. With less than five months before Britain exits the EU, Prime Minister Theresa May won the backing of many firms on Monday for a draft divorce deal as she pursues a charm offensive to get Britain, deeply divided over Brexit, on board.