EU backs text rebuking Saudi Arabia at U.N. rights forum: diplomats
At least 36 countries, including all 28 EU members, have signed a statement criticizing Saudi Arabia’s human rights record at the United Nations Human Rights Council on Thursday, diplomats said.
UK hopeful of Brexit talks breakthrough this weekend: Hunt
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was hopeful that a breakthrough could be made in Brexit talks with the European Union this weekend, a day after officials said talks to amend Prime Minister Theresa May’s divorce deal made no headway.
UK top lawyer Cox: We are discussing text with EU on Brexit deal changes
Britain is discussing text with the European Union as part of its efforts to win concessions from the bloc on Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal, top government lawyer Geoffrey Cox said on Thursday.
EU states reject blacklisting Saudi, others over dirty money
The 28 member states of the European Union all backed a decision on Thursday to reject a proposal from the EU executive to add Saudi Arabia to a blacklist of countries suspected of being lax on terrorist financing and money-laundering.
Algerian lawyers take to the streets to back anti-Bouteflika protests
Hundreds of lawyers in black robes took to the streets of downtown Algiers on Thursday to press President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down after 20 years in power, adding momentum to the biggest protests there since the 2011 Arab Spring.
Singapore bans Swedish death metal band on religious grounds
Singapore banned Swedish death metal group Watain Live from performing a concert on Thursday over concerns about the band’s history of “denigrating religions and promoting violence”.
Movement at North Korea ICBM plant viewed as missile-related, South says
New activity has been detected at a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles plant, South Korean media said on Thursday, as U.S. President Donald Trump said he would be very disappointed if Pyongyang rebuilt a rocket site.
Grenade blast in India’s Jammu and Kashmir kills one, wounds at least 29: police
A grenade explosion at a bus stand in the Indian city of Jammu killed one person and wounded at least 29 on Thursday, police said, just weeks after a Pakistan-based militant group killed 40 paramilitary police in nearby Kashmir, almost sparking a war.
Indonesian rights activist arrested for insulting the military
Indonesian police arrested an Amnesty activist for insulting the military, the group said on Thursday, after he compared a plan to allow senior officers to hold civilian positions to the days of autocratic leader Suharto.
Hungary’s ruling Fidesz affirms intent to remain in EPP
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling Fidesz party wants to remain within the European People’s Party, a senior official said on Thursday after the main pro-government daily urged the ruling party to quit the conservative group.
