Anti-Islamic State coalition at odds on jihadi detainees
The United States on Thursday pressured members of a global coalition fighting Islamic State to allow foreign fighters to be repatriated but despite consensus on the gravity of the problem, disagreements on whether and how to send people back persisted…
Lebanon’s Safadi emerges as PM choice for three parties
Three major Lebanese parties agreed to nominate Mohammad Safadi, a former finance minister, to become prime minister, three sources familiar with the situation said, suggesting progress toward a new government at a time of acute economic crisis.
Bolivia’s Senate votes to appoint new chamber head, deputies
Bolivian lawmakers in the country’s Senate voted on Thursday night in favor of a new chamber President and two vice president, after a spate of resignations amid major political upheaval in the South American nation.
Writer held in offshore Australian asylum detention arrives in New Zealand
Writer and refugee Behrouz Boochani left the Australian-run offshore Pacific detention camp where he has been held for six years, arriving in New Zealand late on Thursday to speak at a literary festival.
North Korea says will unilaterally remove South Korean facilities at Mt Kumgang if South insists on talks
North Korea said on Friday that it had sent South Korea an “ultimatum” on Monday about North Korea’s Mt Kumgang tourist resort, saying that it will unilaterally remove South Korea’s facilities there if Seoul insists on talks about the issue.
Japan’s ageing ‘Hidden Christians’ fear they may be their religion’s last generation
His face weathered from years at sea, kimono-clad Japanese fisherman Masaichi Kawasaki kneels before an altar adorned with images of the Virgin Mary, crossing himself as he softly intones chants handed down through centuries.
Bolivia’s interim president bars Morales from new vote, seeks dialogue
Bolivia’s interim President said on Thursday that leftist leader Evo Morales who resigned and fled to Mexico amid rising pressure over vote-rigging allegations, could not run in new elections but looked to mend bridges with his powerful socialist party…
Lebanese media: major parties agree on ex-minister Safadi as PM
Three major Lebanese parties have agreed on nominating Mohammad Safadi, a former finance minister, to become prime minister of a new government, the Lebanese broadcasters LBCI and MTV reported on Thursday.
Hong Kong to unveil depth of recession amid protests, trade war
Hong Kong is expected to confirm on Friday it plunged into recession for the first time in a decade, amid concerns the economy could be in even worse shape than feared as months of anti-government protests take a heavy toll.
UK Liberal Democrats enter election spending race with big pledges on climate
Britain’s anti-Brexit Liberal Democrats will promise on Friday to spend 100 billion pounds ($128 billion) on tackling climate change if they win a Dec. 12 election.
