France’s Macron to give up presidential pension in reform gesture
French President Emmanuel Macron, whose plans to reform the pension system have run into fierce public opposition, will forego a special presidential pension payout when he eventually steps down, his office said on Sunday.
Russia’s Lavrov says Nord Stream 2 will be launched despite sanctions: Ifax
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday that the Nord Stream 2 and Turk Stream gas pipeline projects would be launched despite U.S. sanctions, adding that Russia planned to respond to the new measures, the Interfax news agency reported.
Magnitude 5.0 earthquake hits southwestern Iran: ISNA, USGS
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck southwest Iran on Sunday, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported.
Russia ready to include ‘super weapons’ in arms control treaty: Ifax cites Lavrov
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday that Russia was prepared to include the heavy Sarmat missile and the Avangard hypersonic missile in a new START strategic arms reduction treaty, should it be extended, Interfax reported.
Legionaires founder sexually abused 60 boys, religious order’s report says
Sexual abuse of minors was rife among superiors of the Legionaires of Christ Catholic religious order, with at least 60 boys abused by its founder Father Marcial Maciel, a report by the group showed.
Christmas in Lebanon not so merry as economic crisis bites
Rafi Tabakian’s clothing store in a Beirut suburb is usually buzzing with customers during the holiday season, but with Lebanon’s economy in ruins, shoppers are in short supply.
Tesco suspends Chinese supplier after prisoner labor report
British supermarket giant Tesco suspended a Chinese supplier of Christmas cards on Sunday after a press report said a customer found a message written inside a card saying it had been packed by foreign prisoners who were victims of forced labor.
At least 25,000 people fled Syria’s Idlib for Turkey over two days: media
At least 25,000 civilians have fled Syria’s northwestern region of Idlib and headed toward Turkey over the past two days, Turkish state media said on Sunday, as Syrian and Russian forces intensified their bombardment of the region.
Modi says citizenship law not anti-Muslim as protests continue across India
Following days of violent, sometimes deadly protests across India against a new citizenship law critics say discriminates against Muslims, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a rally on Sunday for his Hindu nationalist party in the capital.
Clashes as police try to clear Hong Kong protesters after Uighur support rally
Hong Kong riot police pepper sprayed protesters to disperse crowds in the heart of the city’s financial district on Sunday after a largely peaceful rally in support of China’s ethnic Uighurs turned chaotic.
