Hong Kong court upholds ban on same-sex civil partnerships
A Hong Kong court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage and civil union partnerships on Friday after a lesbian identified as ‘MK’ launched the city’s first judicial challenge on the issue, stating it violated her constitutional rights.
Pompeo seeks to assure Israel-U.S focus stays on Iran ‘threat’
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo underscored U.S.-Israeli efforts to counter Iran in talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, in an apparent attempt to ease concerns in Israel that Tehran could exploit a U.S. military pullback in Syria.
Lebanon’s PM cancels cabinet meeting: Al Manar TV citing minister
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri has canceled a cabinet meeting scheduled for Friday amid nationwide protests, Al Manar TV quoted the interior minister as saying.
Southern Korean police detain 19 students at U.S. envoy’s residence
Nineteen South Korean student demonstrators were detained on Friday after a group illegally entering the grounds of the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Seoul, police said.
Holiday Inn-owner IHG hit by weak China, Hong Kong bookings
Holiday Inn-owner InterContinental Hotels Group blamed lower business bookings in China and Hong Kong protests for a 0.8% fall in third-quarter revenue per room on Friday, the latest company to be pinched by weaker global travel.
Cathay Pacific shelves U.S. dollar bond plans amid Hong Kong unrest
Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd has shelved plans for its first U.S. dollar debt deal in 23 years, the airline said on Friday, after sources told Reuters that global investors had baulked at the pricing due to civil unrest in Hong Kong.
Lebanese PM may cancel cabinet meeting; plans speech: party-linked website
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri may cancel Friday’s cabinet meeting amid nationwide protests against the government over an economic crisis, a website affiliated to his party said.
Goldman Sachs raises probability on Brexit deal to 65% after EU agreement
Goldman Sachs said it had raised its estimate on the probability of a Brexit deal to 65% from 60% after Britain struck a new divorce agreement with the European Union that still needs British parliamentary backing.
Turkish-Mexican national arrested in Cambodia amid alleged Gulen links
Cambodian police have arrested the Turkish-Mexican former director of a school run by the movement of U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara blames for a failed 2016 coup, his wife said on Friday.
South Korea wants action against North Korea over closed-door game: report
South Korea’s national soccer federation has asked the sport’s continental body to consider action against North Korea for staging their 2022 World Cup qualifier behind closed doors, according to a local media report on Friday.
