U.S. sanctions Mexican firms, individuals over links to Venezuela
The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Mexican companies and individuals and two oil tankers under a program meant to pressure the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Canada hits 100,000 coronavirus cases, major challenges remain
Canada officially racked up 100,000 cases of the novel coronavirus on Thursday and although the outbreak is slowing, health experts said major challenges remain.
Romanians protest against ban on gender identity studies
Hundreds protested outside the Romanian president’s palace on Thursday against a proposed ban on gender identity studies which they said would infringe human rights and fuel discrimination.
Satellite images suggest Chinese activity at Himalayan border with India before clash
In the days leading up to the most violent border clash between India and China in decades, China brought in pieces of machinery, cut a trail into a Himalayan mountainside and may have even dammed a river, satellite pictures suggest.
Iran’s death toll from coronavirus outbreak approaches 10,000
Iran is approaching 10,000 deaths from the coronavirus outbreak in the country, according to official figures from the Ministry of Health.
Gaza horse riders compete again as coronavirus curbs eased
Wearing riding pants, logo-decorated shirts and helmets, Gaza horse-riders resumed local show-jumping competitions on Thursday as coronavirus restrictions were eased.
Brexit deadline looms over day of Anglo-French solidarity
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told France’s President Emmanuel Macron that talks on a post Brexit deal cannot drag on into the autumn, as the French leader visited London to mark the 80th anniversary of General de Gaulle’s call for wartime resistance,
Belarus president’s main rival held in pre-election clampdown
President Alexander Lukashenko’s main rival was detained on Thursday and accused of siphoning $430 million out of Belarus, in a widening crackdown ahead of August’s presidential election.
Reluctance to free ‘most dangerous’ Taliban prisoners slows Afghan peace talks: sources
Western powers are backing the Afghan government’s refusal to free hundreds of prisoners accused of some of Afghanistan’s most violent attacks, a release demanded by the Taliban as a condition to start peace talks, five sources told Reuters.
Discord thwarts U.N. nuclear watchdog’s plans for virtual Iran meeting
Opposition led by China to a planned resolution rebuking Iran at the U.N. nuclear watchdog’s 35-nation board has forced it to call an in-person session after four days of meeting online because of the coronavirus, diplomats said on Thursday.