‘Time to calm down’: Hong Kong protests simmer ahead of local elections
An uneasy calm settled over Hong Kong on Saturday as the city prepared to stage local elections seen as a referendum on months of anti-government protests, after weeks of especially violent clashes between police and demonstrators.
Pence visits U.S. troops in Iraq, holds call with prime minister
Vice President Mike Pence visited Iraq on Saturday to reassure Iraqi Kurds of U.S. support after President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from northern Syria drew criticism that Washington had betrayed its Kurdish allies there.
I’d have rather died at sea than return to Libya, says rescued migrant
An African migrant recently rescued from a crowded dinghy drifting in the Mediterranean said he would have rather died at sea than return to Libya, highlighting the desperation driving the current wave of immigration to Europe.
Landslides kill 24 people as heavy rains lash northwestern Kenya
At least 24 people, including seven children, have been killed by landslides triggered by unusually heavy rains in northwestern Kenya, a local governor said on Saturday.
UK PM Johnson holds 12-point lead over Labour: YouGov poll
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party holds a 12-point lead over the opposition Labour Party ahead of Britain’s Dec. 12 election, according to the results of a YouGov poll published by Britain Elects on the New Statesman website.
Iran warns regional states of consequences if they stoked unrest
Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri on Saturday warned regional countries of consequences if it is proven that they meddled to stoke recent unrest in Iran.
Iran asks Russia to provide $2 billion loan for power plants, railroads: Russian energy minister
Iran has asked Russia to provide an additional $2 billion loan for projects including the construction of thermal power plants, hydroelectric power plants, railroads and subway carriages, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Saturday.
U.S. indicts Nigerian airline CEO on bank fraud and money laundering charges
The founder and CEO of one of Nigeria’s largest airlines, Air Peace, has been indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice on charges of bank fraud and money laundering for the alleged illegal movement of more than $20 million, the department said.
Car bomb kills at least 10 people near Syria’s border with Turkey
At least 10 people were killed and 25 wounded when a car bomb exploded on Saturday in a Syrian border town seized by Turkish-backed forces last month, witnesses and a rescuer said.
Iraq-Iran border crossing reopens after week-long closure: statement
Iraq’s southern border with Iran reopened to travelers on Saturday after a week-long closure during mass protests in both countries, the Iraqi border ports commission said in a statement.
