Turkey to back Libya deployment bill but troops unlikely for now
Turkish lawmakers are set to back a bill on Thursday that allows troop deployment in Tripoli, but that is likely to begin with military support, training and drones in the air rather than boots on the ground.
French police use tear gas to end protest over pension reform
French police used tear gas to disperse protesters blockading a Paris bus depot on Thursday, the latest confrontation between the authorities and unions over plans to reform the pension system.
Italy’s 5-Star expels senator further reducing slim government majority
Italy’s ruling anti-establishment 5-Star Movement has expelled a senator from its ranks on disciplinary grounds, in a fresh blow to the government’s already small majority in the upper house of parliament.
Kyrgios pledges money for victims of Australian bushfires
Australian Nick Kyrgios has put his hand up to help the victims of raging bushfires in his country by promising a $200 donation for every ace he serves during the home summer season.
Flood death toll rises to 26 in Jakarta, tens of thousands evacuated
Tens of thousands of people were evacuated in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta on Thursday after flash floods and landslides killed up to 26 people amid some of the heaviest rain in more than 20 years, with more deluges forecast, authorities said.
Austrian coalition deal includes headscarf ban, preventive custody: media reports
A deal between Austria’s conservatives and Greens to form a governing coalition includes banning headscarves in school until the age of 14 and preventive custody for potentially dangerous immigrants, several Austrian media reported on Thursday.
Taiwan’s military chief among eight dead in helicopter crash
Taiwan’s top military official was among eight people killed on Thursday, after a helicopter carrying them to visit soldiers crashed in a mountainous area near the capital Taipei, the defense ministry said.
UK Labour Party Brexit spokesman Starmer ahead in leadership race: poll
Keir Starmer, Brexit spokesman for Britain’s opposition Labour Party, has emerged as the early front runner in the race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as leader, according to a poll of members.
Iran not heading to war but not afraid of conflict: military commander
A top Iranian commander said on Thursday that Iran was not moving toward a war but was not afraid of any conflict, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported after U.S. President Donald Trump said Tehran was behind anti-U.S. protests in Iraq.
More talks needed on shape of Tunisian government before vote
Tunisia’s designated prime minister will hold more talks on forming a government, the presidential office said, delaying parliament’s vote on the new cabinet that had been expected on Thursday.
