Brazil’s Bolsonaro government approval rating on the rise: poll
The approval rating of Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has improved, with the number of Brazilians who view his government as great or good increasing to 34.5% from 29.4% in August, according to a poll released on Wednesday.
IMF seen as option for Lebanon depending on terms: senior politician
An International Monetary Fund program is an option for Lebanon depending on terms that should be bearable for the crisis-hit country and not trigger social unrest, a senior politician said on Wednesday as a new government took office.
Lebanon PM Diab: firing central bank governor out of the question
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab said on Wednesday that dismissing Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh was “currently out of the question”.
Facing economic crisis, Lebanon’s government weighs options
Lebanon’s Hezbollah-backed government will be walking a political tightrope as it looks to secure urgent foreign funding to ward off financial collapse, and it may look to the International Monetary Fund for assistance.
Romanian mayor fined for speech inciting hatred of Roma minority
Romania’s anti-discrimination watchdog fined a city mayor on Wednesday for a speech inciting hatred after he suggested would-be parents should be screened and the rights of the Roma ethnic minority to have children restricted.
Saudi prince had ‘possible involvement’ in hacking of Bezos phone: U.N. experts
UN experts said on Wednesday that they had information pointing to the “possible involvement” of Saudi Arabia’s crown prince in the hacking of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ phone in 2018.
Main Irish opposition party would boost Rainy Day Fund
Ireland’s main opposition party Fianna Fail, leading in opinion polls before a Feb. 8 election, will boost annual contributions to the state’s Rainy Day Fund if elected in an attempt to further shield the treasury from potential future shocks.
Guinea-Bissau electoral commission confirms Embalo as president
Guinea-Bissau’s national electoral commission confirmed former Prime Minister Umaro Cissoko Embalo as winner of the presidential ballot on Wednesday, after the Supreme Court threw the result into doubt last week.
Militia ally of Iran’s Soleimani shot dead in southwest Iran: IRNA
Gunmen in Iran shot dead a commander of the hardline Basij militia who was an ally of Qassem Soleimani, the senior Revolutionary Guards commander killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq, the official news agency IRNA reported on Wednesday.
Hong Kong leader Lam says her job to remain to deal with crises
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Wednesday that the city had several crises to manage and that it was her job to remain.
