‘I’ll miss Juncker’s kisses,’ Britain’s departing EU Commissioner says
On his final day in the office, Britain’s commissioner to the European Union said he would miss the occasional kiss from his boss Jean-Claude Juncker.
French mariners fear watery grave for 17th century pension perks
Tugboat captain Jean-Yves Lagarde should be only 10 years from retiring thanks to special benefits for mariners that date back to the 17th century. But President Emmanuel Macron’s ambition to simplify France’s Byzantine pension system may scuttle his p…
After Trump’s Afghan visit, Taliban say they are ready to resume peace talks
The Taliban said on Friday they were ready to restart peace talks with the United States, a day after President Donald Trump visited U.S. troops in Afghanistan and said he believed the radical group would agree to a ceasefire.
South Africa’s Karoo drills and prays as taps run dry
South Africa’s Karoo region has always been parched – it means land of thirst in the language of its earliest inhabitants, the Khoisan hunter gatherers.
Explainer: What’s at stake in Macron’s reform of France’s cherished pensions?
France is bracing for nationwide public sector strikes on Dec. 5 against President Emmanuel Macron’s drive to overhaul the country’s unwieldy and costly pension system.
Lebanon crisis wreaks havoc on Syria’s war-torn economy
A financial crisis in Lebanon has hit the economy of neighboring Syria hard, choking off a vital source of dollars and dragging the Syrian pound to record lows.
Turkey’s Erdogan slams Macron over ‘brain dead’ NATO comment
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Emmanuel Macron’s comments on NATO reflect a “sick and shallow” understanding, telling the French president “you should check whether you are brain dead”.
Syria constitutional talks end without consensus on agenda: U.N. envoy
A second week-long round of Syrian talks has ended without a meeting of the group of 45 delegates meant to be negotiating on the constitution, United Nations Special Envoy Geir Pedersen said on Friday.
British PM Johnson to Trump: keep out of UK election
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday it would be “best” if U.S. President Donald Trump does not get involved in Britain’s election when he visits London for a NATO summit next week.
Hong Kong police exit wrecked campus, weekend protests planned
Hong Kong police on Friday withdrew from a university campus trashed by weeks of clashes as pro-democracy activists canvassed social media to promote more protests at the weekend.
