Top challenger of Afghan president says ready to quit elections for peace
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s main challenger in a election next month has said he is ready to abandon his bid for power for the sake of peace, raising more questions about prospects for an election the Taliban have vowed to block.
Jailed Ukrainian filmmaker brought to Moscow amid prisoner swap talks: Russian media
Russia has transferred jailed Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov from a remote Arctic prison to custody in Moscow amid talks with Kiev on a possible prisoner swap, news agencies TASS and Interfax cited unnamed sources as saying on Thursday.
China’s defense ministry says Hong Kong protests must respect law
China’s defense ministry said on Thursday that protests in Hong Kong must respect the law, and that China’s military garrison there had the determination to defend the territory.
Italian president expected to give green light to new government
Italy’s head of state is expected to give two former political enemies the chance to form a new government on Thursday, capping an extraordinary three weeks that could mark a turning point in its frayed relations with the European Union.
Myanmar jails filmmaker for Facebook posts critical of military
A Myanmar court on Thursday sentenced a prominent filmmaker to one year in prison with hard labor for Facebook posts that criticized the military.
Russia brings jailed Ukrainian filmmaker to Moscow amid prisoner swap talks: reports
Russia has transferred jailed Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov from a remote Arctic prison to custody in Moscow amid talks with Kiev on a possible prisoner swap, news agencies TASS and Interfax cited unnamed sources as saying on Thursday.
Queen did not challenge suspension of UK parliament: Rees-Mogg
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth did not question the government’s request to suspend parliament for over a month ahead of Brexit, House of Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said on Thursday.
UK says it is now up to EU: Insist on ‘vassalage’ and we leave without a deal
Britain’s leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg said on Thursday it was now up to the European Union to decide if they were prepared to renegotiate a “reasonable” Brexit deal or force Britain to leave without a agreement.
Philippine lawmakers want a ‘Designated Survivor’ in case of leadership crisis
Philippine lawmakers have introduced legislation based loosely on a popular Netflix political thriller called the “Designated Survivor” to ensure the country has a president in the case of a constitutional leadership crisis.
EU’s Oettinger welcomes prospect of ‘pro-European’ government in Italy
European Commissioner Guenther Oettinger, a member of Chancellor Merkel’s conservatives in Germany, welcomed on Thursday the prospect of a new, pro-European government taking office in Italy, saying it was a good development.
