Russian court to consider freeing jailed actor after outcry
A Moscow court said on Thursday that it would review the jailing of an actor over an opposition protest after state prosecutors formally requested that he be released on bail following a public outcry over his conviction.
Croatian government backs down on later retirement age
The Croatian government will lower the country’s retirement age back to 65 from 67 following a protest campaign led by leading trade unions, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Thursday.
Algeria detains opposition activist in new sign of clampdown
Algerian authorities have arrested Fodil Boumala, a prominent opposition activist and anti-government protester, fellow activists and a lawyer said on Thursday.
Afghanistan braces for deadly attacks as Taliban vow to disrupt presidential election
A deadly suicide bombing this week near an election rally in central Afghanistan where President Ashraf Ghani was due to speak came as a sharp reminder of the risks to a ballot set for the end of next week in the shadow of failed peace talks.
Weakened Netanyahu seeks Israeli unity government with rival Gantz
Israel’s weakened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited his main rival, Benny Gantz, on Thursday to join him in a broad coalition government — an abrupt change of strategy after failing to win a ruling majority in election.
Israel’s Netanyahu cites 1980s precedent in hint at rotating premiership with Gantz
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted on Thursday at a possible rotating premiership deal with election challenger Benny Gantz after inviting his centrist rival to join him in government.
Israel’s president welcomes Netanyahu call for national unity government
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, who is tasked with approving a government that emerges from this week’s election, welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for a broad coalition with his centrist rival.
Central African militia suspects, one a soccer boss, hear war crimes charges
Two alleged leaders of Central African Republic militias, one of them prominent in African football, heard details of war crimes accusations against them at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday.
Britain’s Barclay urges EU to be flexible, creative over Brexit
Britain’s Brexit minister Stephen Barclay urged the European Union to show flexibility and creativity over Brexit on Thursday, saying the Irish backstop arrangement “has to go” and that Britain was prepared to leave without a deal if needed.
Netanyahu urges rival Gantz to form unity government with him
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Thursday on his main rival, former general Benny Gantz, to join him in a broad, governing coalition after Israel’s election ended with no clear winner.
