More French protests see roads blocked, trains disrupted and scuffles in Paris
Truckers blocked roads in about 10 regions around France on Saturday to protest against a planned reduction in tax breaks on diesel for road transport, while train and metro services remained heavily disrupted by a strike against pension reform.
Factbox: Reactions to Iran-U.S. prisoner swap
The United States and Iran swapped prisoners – an American detained for three years on spying charges and an imprisoned Iranian – on Saturday in a rare act of cooperation between two longtime foes.
United States and Iran swap prisoners in rare act of cooperation
The United States and Iran each freed a prisoner on Saturday in a rare act of cooperation between two longtime foes whose ties have worsened since President Donald Trump took office.
Hong Kong police chief promises flexibility ahead of rally
Hong Kong’s new police commissioner said on Saturday his force would take a flexible approach to pro-democracy demonstrations as the city gears up for a rally on Sunday that is expected to draw a huge crowd.
Lebanon appeals to more states for help with imports
Lebanon appealed to more friendly states on Saturday to help it import essential goods as it wrestles with an acute economic crisis and hard currency shortages, the office of caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said.
Pope meets with Maltese PM hit by scandal over reporter’s murder
Pope Francis on Saturday gave a private audience to outgoing Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, ignoring an appeal to cancel the meeting with a premier engulfed in crisis over a probe into a murdered journalist.
Slovak ex-PM Fico left party congress to seek medical treatment: reports
Former Slovak prime minister Robert Fico left the annual congress of the main ruling Smer party, which he still leads, on Saturday to seek medical treatment, Slovak media reported.
Lebanon appeals to Germany, Britain, Spain for help with imports
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri wrote to the leaders of Germany, Britain and Spain on Saturday to request help in securing credit for imports, his office said.
Chinese-American freed from Iran, Iranian freed from U.S. in prisoner swap
A Chinese-American detained in Iran for three years on spying charges was freed and an imprisoned Iranian was released by Washington in return, President Donald Trump and an Iranian official said on Saturday.
Germany’s SPD slip in polls after choosing new leftist leaders
Support for Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) has fallen after members last week chose as leaders a leftist duo who are skeptical about remaining in government with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, a poll showed on Saturday.
