Merkel brands opponents of U.N. migrant pact 'nationalists'

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Merkel brands opponents of U.N. migrant pact 'nationalists'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended a United Nations agreement on migration in a passionate speech to parliament on Wednesday, accusing its opponents of "nationalism in its purest form". The U.N. pact, to regulate the treatment of migrants worldwide, was approved in July by all 193 member states except the United States and is to be signed in Morocco next month.

Romania leader rejects government's anti-graft prosecutor nominee

Romania's president on Wednesday rejected the government's nominee for chief anti-corruption prosecutor amid concerns among magistrates and diplomats that she might be soft on high-level graft in one of the European Union's most corrupt states. The proposal of Adina Florea, a little-known prosecutor in the port town of Constanta, is part of a series of legal and personnel changes made by the ruling Social Democrats that are seen as threats to judicial independence and could further heighten European Union concerns about democratic values in some of its eastern member states.

China building on new reef in South China Sea, think tank says

China has installed a new platform on a remote part of the Paracel Islands in the disputed South China Sea which could be used for military purposes, according to recent satellite images reviewed by a U.S. think tank. The strategic waterway is claimed almost in its entirety by China, whose continued building of military and other installations on artificial islands and reefs there has unnerved the region and angered Washington.

Britain's May seeks to cut deal on future EU ties in Brussels

Prime Minister Theresa May heads to Brussels on Wednesday to try to finalize a blueprint for Britain's future ties with the European Union, hoping to secure commitments that will appease Brexit rebels at home. With just over four months before Britain leaves the bloc, the two sides are trying to hammer out their divorce terms and an outline of their future relationship before a summit on Sunday. That would give their parliaments enough time to consider a deal that will end more than 40 years of partnership.

Interpol picks South Korean as president, Russia criticizes Western pressure

International police body Interpol elected Kim Jong-yang of South Korea as president on Wednesday, beating a Russian national whose candidacy had raised concerns in Europe and the United States about the risk of Kremlin interference. Russia said clear outside pressure had been exerted on the vote but it did not dispute the voting process.

Terror of gang violence drives migrant caravans northward

Former Honduran policeman Ivan says he moved homes so many times to escape the street gangs that terrorize his Central American country that he lost count. Fearful his sons would have to join the gangs or be killed, he eventually joined thousands of Hondurans fleeing to the United States. The 45-year-old, who asked to be identified only by his first name, is journeying through Mexico in a caravan of several thousand mostly Honduran migrants who are fleeing violence and poverty for a better life in the United States.

Rights group sues Abu Dhabi Crown Prince in France over Yemen

A rights group filed a lawsuit against Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan during his visit to France on Wednesday, accusing him of war crimes, complicity in torture and inhumane treatment in Yemen, a lawyer for the group said. The complaint by the International Alliance for the Defence of Rights and Freedoms (AIDL) said Prince Mohammed, who is Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, is responsible for attacks that hit civilians.

German prosecutors probe far-right leader over election donations

German prosecutors have opened an investigation into the co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on suspicion of violating party donation rules, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office in the city of Constance. Alice Weidel's local party in the southern city on the shores of a lake of the same name is suspected of receiving a total 145,000 Swiss francs ($145,743.29) between July and September last year from a company based across the border in Switzerland.

Israeli minister urges Airbnb boycott, talks up rival service

An Israeli cabinet minister called on Wednesday for a boycott of Airbnb and promoted one of its rivals, escalating the government's response to the home-rental company's decision to delist Israel's settlements in the occupied West Bank. "I call today on all those who support Israel and oppose discriminatory boycotts: they should cease using Airbnb and turn to other services," Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan told a diplomatic conference hosted by the Jerusalem Post newspaper.

Rights groups: Activists held in Saudi Arabia tortured, Riyadh denies charge

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accused Saudi Arabia on Tuesday of subjecting several activists including some female human rights defenders detained since May to torture and sexual harassment, allegations denied by a Saudi official. Over a dozen women's rights activists have been arrested since May, most of whom had campaigned for the right to drive and an end to the kingdom's male guardianship system, though some have since been freed.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)