Germany counting on British lawmakers to back Brexit deal: minister
Germany’s foreign minister on Friday said he was counting on the British parliament ahead of a vote on an eleventh-hour agreement that negotiators from Britain and the European Union reached on Britain’s planned departure from the bloc.
Kuwait issues travel warning over Lebanon protests
Kuwait’s Embassy in Lebanon on Friday asked citizens wishing to travel to Lebanon to wait because of the current protests and unrest.
China stops couriers from shipping black clothing to Hong Kong amid protests
China has banned the bulk shipment to Hong Kong of black clothing and other gear used by pro-democracy protesters, staff at Chinese courier firms said, amid four months of often violent unrest in the city.
France resists EU membership talks for North Macedonia and Albania
French President Emmanuel Macron refused on Friday to let North Macedonia start talks on joining the European Union and led a group of leaders who blocked opening talks with Albania, despite concerns over Chinese and Russian influence in the Balkans.
Home from home: Hong Kong police group plans retirement in mainland China
A Hong Kong police association is in talks with a Chinese property developer about a planned Hong Kong-themed retirement community in mainland China, it said on its website.
Protests turn Hong Kong’s council elections into referendum on Lam’s government
Pro-democracy candidates will stand in almost all 452 seats in Hong Kong’s upcoming local elections, encouraged by four months of anti-government protests, with the outcome of the November poll a barometer of support for the city’s embattled government…
Shells still fall in northeast Syria despite pause agreement
Shelling could be heard at the Syrian-Turkish border on Friday morning despite a five-day ceasefire agreed between Turkey and the United States, and Washington said the deal covered only a small part of the territory Ankara aims to seize.
Erdogan says there are no ongoing clashes in northeast Syria
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that there were no ongoing clashes in northeastern Syria, where Turkey has been carrying out an offensive, after Ankara agreed with Washington to pause its offensive while Kurdish forces withdraw.
Global watchdog gives Pakistan until February to act against terror financing
Pakistan has until February to improve its counter-terror financing operations in line with an internationally agreed action plan, or face action against it, a global watchdog said on Friday.
Bomb explodes inside mosque in eastern Afghanistan during Friday prayers
A bomb exploded in a mosque in eastern Afghanistan during Friday prayers, officials said, killing and wounding at least 10 men who had gathered for worship.
