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.
Lam says government is forming independent committee to review Hong Kong situation
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Wednesday that the government was about to announce the formation of an independent committee to study the situation in the city, which has been rocked by seven months of protests.
China virus deaths rise to nine, heightening global alarm
Deaths from China’s new flu-like virus rose to nine on Wednesday with more than 470 confirmed cases, heightening global fears of contagion from an infection suspected to have come from animals.
