Fix Irish border or face hard Brexit, EU lawmakers warn May
The British government has so far failed to offer a “workable” backstop plan to avoid Brexit border frictions in Ireland and must do so now if the European Parliament is to endorse a smooth transition out of the EU, lawmakers warned on Friday.
British voters increasingly unhappy with PM May and her government: poll
British voters are increasingly dissatisfied with Prime Minister Theresa May and her government, according to an opinion poll on Friday, with less than a third of respondents happy with May’s leadership.
Tensions within Italian coalition over transalpine rail link
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called on Friday for work to continue on an ambitious, Franco-Italian rail link, putting himself at odds with his coalition partners, who have denounced the costly project.
Cambodian PM rallies support for vote that his foes call a sham
Tens of thousands of supporters of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen rallied in Phnom Penh on the last day of campaigning for Sunday’s general election, in which he faces almost no challenge to extending 33 years in power.
Iraq’s top cleric Sistani calls for new government as soon as possible
Iraq’s top Shi’ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called on Friday for a government to be formed “as soon as possible” to tackle corruption and poor basic services, in a Friday sermon delivered by a representative.
Former owner of 500 Macau greyhounds announces rehousing plan
An official of Macau’s Yat Yuen, the company that ran the only dog-racing track in the world’s largest gambling hub until last week, joined hands on Friday with animal rights group Anima to announce plans for a center to rehouse more than 500 greyhound…
Party of Pakistan’s jailed ex-PM concedes election to Imran Khan
Pakistan’s former ruling party conceded the country’s disputed election to cricket legend-turned politician Imran Khan as final results were expected on Friday, paving the way for Khan to begin searching for coalition partners.
Israel says Trump sought Turkish detainee’s release, Ankara denies deal
Israel confirmed on Friday a U.S. newspaper report that President Donald Trump had requested its release of a Turkish woman accused of Hamas ties, while Ankara denied ever agreeing to free a detained American pastor in return.
Europe poised for bumper Chinese tourism season
The stars are aligning for a bumper year of Chinese tourism in Europe thanks to a growing taste for culture over shopping and fears of a cold reception in Donald Trump’s America.
Malians to elect president amid spiraling violence
In the five years since Malians last chose a president, they have suffered violence from Islamist militants, Tuareg separatists, drug traffickers, ethnic vigilantes and Malian security forces.
