Turkey says Russia will work to halt attacks in Syria’s Idlib
Russia will work to stop attacks in the northwestern Syrian region of Idlib after talks with a Turkish delegation in Moscow, Turkish Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Tuesday, adding that Turkey expected this to be realized.
Thai reporter sentenced to jail for libelling chicken farm
A Thai television journalist was sentenced to two years in prison on Tuesday on charges of libelling a chicken farm on Twitter, her lawyer said.
U.S. urges Georgia to reinforce democracy, rule of law
Georgia must reinforce its commitment to democracy and ensure its judicial system is free of political bias, the United States said on Tuesday, after weeks of demonstrations in the ex-Soviet state demanding changes to the electoral system.
Botswana court dismisses challenge to October election result
Botswana’s high court on Tuesday dismissed petitions filed by the main opposition parties against the election result that returned the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) to a parliamentary majority.
Zambia: U.S. ambassador crossed line by defending jailed gay couple
Zambia’s home affairs minister said on Tuesday that a U.S. ambassador who criticized the jailing of a gay couple for 15 years had “crossed the line,” adding that the United States had responded to an official complaint by recalling him.
Chess player ‘won’t play for Iran’ due to ban on Israeli players
Iran’s top rated chess champion has decided not to play for his country, Iranian news agencies reported on Tuesday, in an apparent reaction to Tehran’s informal ban on competing against Israeli players.
Khashoggi’s fiancee says execution of those convicted would conceal truth
The fiancee of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi described the sentencing of five people to death in relation to the killing as unfair and invalid, adding that their execution would further conceal the truth.
Iraqi parliament approves new election law
Iraq’s parliament approved on Tuesday a new electoral law, a key demand of protesters to make elections fairer, but political deadlock is still holding up the selection of an interim prime minister.
Tanzania charges rights activist with economic crimes
A Tanzanian human rights activist was charged on Tuesday with economic crimes amid growing concerns from rights groups and foreign governments over a crackdown on dissent in the East African nation.
U.S. ready to deal with any North Korean ‘Christmas gift’: Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday brushed off North Korea’s warning of a “Christmas gift,” saying the United States would “deal with it very successfully,” amid U.S. concerns that Pyongyang might be preparing a long-range missile test.
