Uzbek LibDems lead in vote criticized by Western observers
Uzbekistan’s Liberal Democratic Party have retained the biggest number of seats in the Central Asian nation’s legislature so far, winning 43 seats out of 128 in Sunday’s vote which Western monitors criticized for “numerous serious irregularities”.
Afghan election runoff likely amid thousands of complaints: officials
Afghanistan’s Electoral Complaints Commission said on Monday the election might go to a second round as it begins reviewing thousands of complaints a day after the preliminary result handed incumbent president Ashraf Ghani a narrow victory.
Scuffles break out as protesters invade Paris’ Gare de Lyon station
Protesters scuffled with police at Gare de Lyon station in Paris on Monday as a nationwide strike against plans by French President Emmanuel Macron to change the country’s pension system dragged on into a 19th day.
UK widens fast-track visa plan for scientists as Brexit nears
Britain said on Monday it would increase the number of scientists and researchers eligible for fast-track visas, part of the government’s plans to attract more elite researchers after Brexit.
Turkish aid group says 120,000 fleeing attacks in Syria’s Idlib
The number of Syrians fleeing attacks in the country’s northwestern Idlib province and heading toward Turkey has reached 120,000, a Turkish aid group said on Monday, adding it was setting up a camp for some of those uprooted.
China denies forced labour accusations after plea found in Christmas card
China denied accusations of forced labour at a Shanghai prison on Monday, a day after media reports that a young girl had found a message in a Christmas card saying it had been packed by inmates.
Ankara and Moscow to discuss Syrian migrants, Libya conflict
A Turkish delegation will travel to Moscow on Monday to discuss Syria and Libya, areas where the nations have some opposing views, for talks that President Tayyip Erdogan said would determine Turkey’s course of action in the region.
Algerian army chief Ahmed Gaed Salah dies: Ennahar TV
Algeria’s powerful army chief Ahmed Gaed Salah has died, the private Ennahar television reported on Monday, at a time of bitter political divisions over the military’s dominant role in the major energy exporter.
Saudi sentences five to death, three to jail in Khashoggi case
Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor said on Monday five people had been sentenced to death and three more to jail terms totaling 24 years in the case of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in October last year.
China’s Xi calls for sustained momentum in North Korea-U.S. talks
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday expressed concerns over rising tension between North Korea and the United States, calling for them to maintain the momentum for dialogue, South Korea’s presidential office said.
